Is there a religious test in politics?
Not that long ago, internet friend, Annette Marie Hyder posed that question to me via email asking for a response she could publish in INTHEFRAY Magazine.
The article has now been published and Annette collected a great set of opinions to her query. Here’s my response:
The religious views (or lack thereof) should be no more relevant to their office than their sex or the color of their skin. The drafters of our Constitution understood this and bothered to state exactly that quite clearly. Many voters, however, are happy to be comforted with the knowledge that someone thinks as they do beyond the pertinent issues. In order to gain sway with this group, a candidate will advertise their religious beliefs. This has become the norm in elections of late. So much so that a growing number of people think the Constitution should be altered to make faith in a god necessary. I think that’s as silly as the desire to teach “creationism” in public schools. You’re free to have faith in whatever you choose. So am I. And so is anyone running for a public office.
Read more on “God in Politics” on Annette’s myspace blog or go directly to the rest of the “Is there a religious test in politics?” responses.
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