There is supposed to be a separation of church and state correct? So why should what religion a candidate is make a difference. When it is displayed, it just proves that doesn't work for us and it isn't being enforced. Also, people in office who admit to making choices based on there religion should be impeached. Choices should be made based on logic and what is really best for our country.
2007-01-08 02:52:29 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Ok, I am just gonna use this an example. Lets say it was against the presidents religion to drink alcohol and he wanted to mkae a law banning it. Do you think that would be ok? the fact of the matter is that politicians take away freedoms all the time because of thier religious beliefes. That is not ok, if the law was based on logic and was intended for the better of the country and it's people, thats ok, but not when it is because of that persons religion.
2007-01-08 07:48:04 · update #1
I am all for freedom of religion... EVERYONE has the right to have thier belifes, but nothing anyone arguing against me has said has changed my mind, when in the office of whatever you are elected, you have an obligation to be fair to everyone, even those who didn;t vote for you, and use logic and common sense. Not your religion to decide whats best.
and to the person who said "I'd be afraid to live in your world." I hate to break it to you but you do. How dare you insult me? I don't know you but i guarentee you are no better of a person than I am. I am 17 and I know I still have a lot of things to learn but I realize the world for what it is.
and
2007-01-08 07:56:30 · update #2
Yes - religion is irrelevant in terms of our government.
Religion belongs in the privacy of the home - not in public office.
2007-01-08 02:55:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I don't think they would see how voting based on religion is not also upon logic or what is best for the country.
Often "religious based choices" are just ethical choices. If you went purely by logic, those mentally incapable of contributing to society should not be a monetary burden to society. It is logical and benefits the country. But it is not ethical. Would you really want a candidate that had no ethics?
By being a religion, the candidate is assumed to have this or that as their ethical compass. Why shouldn't people vote according to how a candidate agrees with their set of ethics?
2007-01-08 11:12:57 · answer #2 · answered by Cadair360 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have a devastatingly poor understanding of the "separation of church and state". The terminology in the first amendment to the Constitution (where the entire idea of separation comes from) says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
It says nothing about forbidding politicians from having a religion or making decisions with religious principles in mind. In fact, it goes in precisely the opposite direction, protecting the right of people (including politicians) to exercise their religion freely. The only restriction says that we will not establish an official church or religion.
More importantly, your post demonstrates a profound ignorance regarding what constitutes a religion. A religion is nothing more than a profoundly held body of beliefs. If you want people to make important decisions without using their beliefs, you've proposed an incredibly foolish way to make decisions.
Finally, the very idea that religious beliefs preclude logic or what is best for our country is a bigoted point-of-view. It is reminiscent of the 19th-century ideals that attempted to keep Catholics out of the country, and especially out of government, because they were somehow dangerous to freedom. Such ideas have no place in a free society. The last societies that were built on such ignorant ideals were Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany. They imprisoned people who held any religion that didn't cooperate with the all-powerful State. Frankly, I value a nation that allows leaders to follow their beliefs freely. I'd be afraid to live in your world.
Anyway, why in the world would we want people to hide their core beliefs if they are running for political office? Wouldn't we benefit from knowing how they think? Doesn't that help you make an educated choice about who to vote for?
2007-01-08 11:06:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The assumption that the state can have nothing to do with religion is incorrect. Many people go on spouting the seperation of church and state and have no idea what it means. The seperation of church and state (aka. no state sponsored religion) simply means that the government can't tell you what religion you have to be. It has nothing to do with what religion our leaders practice or how they implement it into our laws and society.
If a candidate wants his/her religion to play a part in their campaign then they should let it be known. If not then they should keep it private.
2007-01-08 10:57:07 · answer #4 · answered by s_h_a_r_k_k_y 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No. Pretty much everything about a candidate is fair game. They have put themselves in the public eye.
Your theories on religion and constitutional doctrines are wrong.
2007-01-08 10:56:10 · answer #5 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
they go into every single aspect of a candidate's life.
no way to protect that information.
many people feel it is a significant part of who they are.
and that is what they are getting elected to be...
themselves. voting choices tend to be more visceral.
not always based on logic but how you feel about the person
and trust etc.
2007-01-08 10:54:31 · answer #6 · answered by Sufi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it should. And people should not be voting for someone just because of their religion, but what candidate would be the best for this country. I think impeachment is going to far, just should not be able to run for reelection.
2007-01-08 10:58:20 · answer #7 · answered by sydb1967 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes I do, because many religious people will just vote for the one who has the same religion that they believe in and not the one that is actually qualified to do the job. I agree with everything you said in your question.
2007-01-08 10:56:07 · answer #8 · answered by Urchin 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes. Religion is the opium of the people. It basically keeps the main society in order by giving them values to adhere to.
2007-01-08 10:59:44 · answer #9 · answered by youronmyfoot 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think that their religion is going to show through weather or not they affirm their beliefs or not . I would be more critical of a candidate who tried to hide his/her beliefs.
2007-01-08 10:56:04 · answer #10 · answered by trevorgl 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋