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by dangray from st. louis

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CAN RELIGION AND POLITICS MIX?
Sep 21, 2008 | 3:53 PM
Category: Faith
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"God wants me to run for president...American people want faith in their government."

The words of Jimmy Carter in the 1976 presidential election campaign. Faith chatter has been a part of presidential campaigns for decades, but this year there is more focus on the religious beliefs of the candidates.

*Popular Protestant Pastor Rick Warren interviewed John McCain and Barack Obama in the televised Saddleback Presidential Forum. The candidates were asked questions such as, "What does it mean to you to trust in Christ?" and "Does evil exist?" and "Define marriage."

*Now the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops has invited the two presidential candidates to meet with them before the election. Neither McCain nor Obama have replied yet.

*I have heard voters say they believe Obama is a Muslim even though he has repeatedly said he is a Christian.

*The Chicago Tribune recently reported the history of religious affiliation of Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin. She was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church, but later would spend nearly three decades in the Assemblies of God Church and now she chooses to attend non-denominational Christian Churches.

*An anonymous Vatican official was quoted as saying Sarah Palin is "a dream candidate."

*A Pew Research Center poll shows that Catholics and Evangelical Protestants believe they have found a friend in Sarah Palin."

It seems in 21st century America, a candidate better be ready to give an an opinion about everything. Everything. What is their relationship with God? Should their political beliefs line up with what their church and or what the bible teaches? Will God-talk translate into God-policy after the a candidate is elected? What the candidate thinks about the economy or Iraq isn't enough?

Like it or not, religion is is even more deeply woven into the fabric of partisan politics than ever before. Do you like it or not?

 
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Member Comments Total Comments: 30
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kurkel read my blog view my photos
Sep 21, 2008 | 5:00 PM

what a hot topic Dan...dare I touch? hhmm... ok

Understand this comes from a christian, bible believing, God fearing child of God....but the US was built on God and Politics. It has only been in the recent decade that so many have tried to remove God from Politics, from the gov. Yes...church and state are supposed to be seperate but that is so the state doesnt try to run the churches and the beliefs (again remember...this is my opinion)

I am thrilled with Sarah Palin and believe she makes MORE than an excellent candidate for Vice President ....and most definately is a good match with McCain.
Faith,belief in God , morals...all built into our constitution and what America was built on. In God we trust....
I believe Sarah Palin and John McCain will bring those things and politics nicely together in a blissful union.
dannbetty read my blog view my photos
Sep 21, 2008 | 6:49 PM

When a politician lives according to his or her faith, you can determine what road they would take in a crises. All of the supposed 'Catholic' Senators who crawl out from under their alleged faith to defend the practice of abortion, Mc Caskill, Biden, Kennedy, when their faith says abortion is an intrinsic evil, which means there is no position or circumstance than can cause abortion not to be evil, these politicians cannot be trusted to follow a sure course of moral conscience.
wackymom read my blog view my photos
Sep 21, 2008 | 9:38 PM

kurkel put it very nicely.

I think faith is very important. "One Nation Under God" was the fundamental idea of our founding fathers. I believe the separation of church and state is important so that we can have freedom of religion without persecution. But I also believe majority of Americans have a basic belief in God and feel more comfortable having someone of faith in office.

Naturally, that person shouldn't force their beliefs on us (no one should try to force me to become Catholic) but they should be able to express them openly.
kurkel read my blog view my photos
Sep 21, 2008 | 9:50 PM

thanks wacky...

Dannbetty I agree with what you are saying and wacky. Course I think we bascially believe the same way so there you go....

It will be interesting to see if any opposing views get on here....
michelle4wellness read my blog view my photos
Sep 22, 2008 | 6:56 AM

Wow Dan, you BLOGGED!! And this is a good one...and relevant too.

Wacky...LOVE your avatar!! Look at some of the cute Palin tshirts at cafepress.com.

Sarah Palin has given me hope that November 5 won't be such a bad day after all....
dannbetty read my blog view my photos
Sep 22, 2008 | 1:10 PM

My take on the separation of Church and State, as first taught was 'Render onto Caeser that which is Caeser's', such as taxes, obedience to law, civil disobedience in good conscience, and public or military service to your gov't.
'and unto God that which is His.' Worship, Charity, Love.
Cutter read my blog
Sep 22, 2008 | 4:48 PM

I Love my God , Family and Country . Its very important to me , what a candidates religious beliefs are .
I also like a candidtae , that understands when his minister is preaching racist hatred ,And removes him or herself long before they run for President ,
nan2sing read my blog view my photos
Sep 22, 2008 | 6:35 PM

I recently wrote a song "Pledge to you America"… The words,"I'm proud of what I feel when I look across this land and see the heart of good in those who understand that one nation under God is what we need" will always ring true to me. I believe that the President of the United States should believe in the same God that our forefathers believed in as they sought to have freedom to worship.“United we stand in a world that’s gone to war…our loved ones have left and gone to distant shores…our prayer now will be that God will heal our land and he will bring his peace to those who understand that one nation under God is what we need…
We have “gone to war” in a physical sense and war in the challange of our economy. Sadly, our attitudes toward one another often demonstrate another war that battles within us. I truly don’t believe that human beings alone will have the resources that it will take to heal our land. In my opinion, the President should be a person who will seek God first and pray for wisdom as decisions are being made regarding our nation…

I will continue to listen closely as the candidates express their views about God. I agree with dannbetty... We can determine a lot about how a candidate will handle a crisis as we view their walk of faith. Unfortunately, we are not always able to clearly see where that path began and where it will lead…

I end my song with these words…”I pledge to you America you mean so much to me…one nation under God is what we need… God bless America.” Politics and Religion will always be debated…As we face the election in November, I will
nan2sing read my blog view my photos
Sep 22, 2008 | 6:37 PM

I will consider the religious beliefs of the one who will ultimately try to heal our nation and lead us toward peace and prosperity. As the candidates end their speeches with “God bless America” we should consider how they would want him to do so
dangray read my blog
Sep 22, 2008 | 7:27 PM

Kurkel, I'm glad you touched the "hot topic." You raise an interesting point about faith and morals. Would you support a non-Christian candidate or a candidate who did not express a faith belief if he or she had the same high morals and values that you hold?

Danbetty, I agree. I believe we should not turn our faith on and off depending on the crowd or situation. Every Sunday churches are full of hypocrites. Including me and I'm working on it.

Michelle, Yes, I know its a miracle that I BLOGGED!!!! The Spirit moved me. (The boss suggested it too)

Nice song, Nan2sing. I believe the more we know about a candidate the better prepared we are to vote.
mr_wildflower read my blog view my photos
Sep 22, 2008 | 7:57 PM

Politics has existed in every walk of life since the cave man..... Keeping it out of religion and keeping religion out of politics is impossible...... The Baptists and the Catholics are the two major political players... Not as much since Burke is no longer around..... It's just nowadays that the players have managed to manipulate it to their advantage......
asmerelda read my blog view my photos
Sep 22, 2008 | 8:12 PM

John 3:16

I love my God and Jesus!

Politics and Religion don't mix.

I am a democrat and I have to vote and I would vote for God but he is not on the ticket but he is in my heart and he is my leader. God will always be the President and Leader of my country!
asmerelda read my blog view my photos
Sep 22, 2008 | 8:13 PM

And God is the Leader of the whole world!
FREEDOMFREE read my blog view my photos
Sep 22, 2008 | 8:45 PM

I DONT KNOW , BUT IT LOOKS TO ME ,

A BRAND NEW SHOW , IS NATURALLY ,

IS WHO YOU KNOW , FREEDOMFREE ,

SEE SOME STILL NEED , TO BE FREE ,

SOCIALLY , YOU ARE THE COUNTRY ,

INDEPENTENLY , AS YOU SEE ,

FREEDOMFREE , APPROVES THIS MESSAGE ,

FREE .
freshvision read my blog view my photos
Sep 23, 2008 | 7:34 AM

They always have and always will, right or wrong. Any effort to show seperation is just a silly act of blowing smoke up peoples collective ass.
dannbetty read my blog view my photos
Sep 23, 2008 | 10:17 AM

Well Dan, if I didn't need to work on it I wouldn't be there with you.
b8kedbeans read my blog
Sep 23, 2008 | 2:13 PM

no to your question
jana read my blog view my photos
Sep 24, 2008 | 12:13 AM

Hey Dan! Nice blog!

Kurkel nicely put!
Nan2sing! I love what you said, I couldn't have said it better myself!

It won't be long and it will all be said and done! Let's pray for a "Postive Change!"

Peace, Jana
FIGMAN read my blog view my photos
Sep 24, 2008 | 12:48 AM

Those founders of our government had a core belief in God and I want our leaders to have the same core belief. We must not allow "religion" to become part of our democracy as it will destroy not only what our forefathers had in mind but I believe it clouds Gods plan as well.

We are all sinners in His eyes and in His plan. I believe we are saved by His grace and the faith we have in His word and plan for salvation. The reason Dan, I and others are working on it (working on being hypocrites)is because we should strive to be like Jesus without sin, while knowing its impossible to accomplish. It is such a hard and nearly impossible concept for our human mind to understand much less follow and obey. But we must strive, believe and have faith.

I would prefer leaders show me their Christian values, not tell me about them
mechany144 read my blog view my photos
Sep 24, 2008 | 2:46 PM

I like what FIGMAN said. Actions speak louder than words.
As far as religion in politics, they do not mix well. Look at the countries that have Islamic or Christian beliefs as a point of law.
Would you want to live there? Not me. I want to be free to worship as I choose, not to worship or not be able to as a rule of law. Go to a gulag because I say praise God? Have my head chopped off because I say thank you Jesus.
Be tortured because I say praise Allah? I think not my friends.
Sure, maybe our leaders should have faith, and realize there is a higher power that they have to answer to. A bit of humility never hurt anybody!
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dangray

I anchor the 5pm FOX 2 Newscast Monday-Friday and report nightly stories for FOX 2 News at 9. Blogging is new to me. So bear with me. Advice is welcome.

Member Since: 9/14/2006