Is a politician's religious views really important?

Question

I ask this because, when I am selecting a candidate, I have never asked myself, "is this person a christian?". Shouldn't we be looking at the candidate's credentials, rather than their religious beliefs?

For instance, Pat Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, said of Fred Thompson, "Everyone knows he's conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands for. "[But] I don't think he's a Christian; at least that's my impression.". He goes on to say that "Sen. Thompson hasn't clearly communicated his religious faith, and many evangelical Christians might find this a barrier to supporting him."

I find it disturbing that people are basing their votes based on religious views.

This is not a knock on religion, but if you look around the world, the countries that have religious figureheads running things are usually the most dangerous places on the planet.

Answer 1

I like JAMES Dobson's work. But I have never once gotten my political advice from him.

I support Fred Thompson, because he was an excellent Senator. I thought everybody in Tennessee was a Christian. LOL

It never occurred to me to ask that about Thompson, at any rate.

And no offense, but I question the validity of a quote that misnames the quotee.

Answer 2

Religion is a factor when deciding a leader. It is not the only factor but it is a large one. Religion is a belief in values. What people value is very important. Policies are not just ways of doing things, they are decisions of what's valued. Religion is the basic attempt to look at: Where are we going? Where have we been? How did we get here? I would consider anything looking at those questions a religion; evolution included. All religions require an unquantifiable leap of faith and have guidelines in which to follow. What most people say is that we are a christian nation with a secular government. I do not wish to have a religious government, but the people that run the government have religious leanings of their own. At the end of the day it will play some role in the decisions that are made.

Answer 3

I'll knock religion for you. The more religious a candidate tries to appear, the more sure I am they probably will not get my vote. Religion has no place in politics. Part of the republicans problem is that for years they catered to the social and family value republicans trying to insure their votes. The problem, the leaders of these organizations, the Haggards, Dobsons, Falwells are crazies with agendas. If they were truly spiritual people they would be as far away from politics as possible instead of holding hands with the politicians.

Answer 4

All religions, except Satanic worship, teach much the same stuff. They may put it differently but the common descency of one human being toward another is taught by them all. That said, I believe a person's religious beliefs, which are private, should not be considered when they run for public office. If we had a theocracy than they would, of course, be important. But we do not have a theocracy. Under our flag we welcome people of all religions. The reason many of our ancestors came here in the first place was because of religious persecution. For that reason the founding fathers were careful about how they addressed religion. Publically George Washington referred to the Supreme Being as "providence". This was done so as not to offend those who do not share his religious views. That tradition has continued down through our government to today. While some Presidents have been more religious than others and some have even touted their religion it has never gotten in the way of them performing their duties as the secular leader of their country. That is as it should be.

I remember in 1960 people were saying that if John Kennedy got elected there would be a hotline directly to the Vatican. It didn't happen. But it shows just how stupid people can be in this kind of thing.

Trying to cram your beliefs down another person's throat is no way to win friends and influence people either. The evangelicals seem to like that sort of thing. But they are a minority and hopefully will stay that way for that very reason. If they look interesting to me I will enquire of them, meanwhile leave me alone. Mr. Thompson is entitled to his beliefs and they are entitled to theirs. If the Bible thumpers don't like him they are free to support whomever they like.

Answer 5

I don't care about a candidate's religious background. How do we know that a Christian politician is better than a non-Christian politician? The evangelicals are crazy by trying to make this a theocracy instead of a democracy. I detest when Romney has to go suck up to Falwell and talk about his faith and how he is a good Christian. The issues matter not what church they belong to.

Answer 6

What should we measure a candidate for office on? We should consider there stated view, past actions, and future plans. A person's religion is no doubt plays a big part in their views.

Answer 7

Dobson is a kook, and so are the people who follow his nonsense. Using "christian" as a litmus test really means anti-choice and pro-intolerance. If these people had their way we'd still be burning witches and be forced to accept their religion.

Answer 8

I just would like to see a good honest person lead this country.. NONE of the candidates so far are even close... so sad

Answer 9

No they are not important at all. A politicians religious views should never mix with his political views.

Answer 10

2000 was a wake up call.......i didnt vote for bush, but and sure as $#@% wont vote for any religious nut in the future