When voting for a political candidate, do your religious beliefs influence who you vote for?

Question

If so, why?

Thanks to everyone for sharing their pov

Answer 1

No, I am influenced by the political philosophy of the candidate. If their views match up with those of our founding fathers, they have my vote. If not, then they don't. It's as simple as that, whether they believe that Jesus is the son of God or Barry White is the son of God is completely irrelevant to me...

Answer 2

No... Neither my religious beliefs or lack there of nor the candidated religious beliefs or lack there of influence my vote..

The only things that matter are the candidates stance on the issues I am concerned with , the candidates prior voting record (if applicable) and the candidates platform.. In order to get my vote the candidate needs to have views that are in agreement with my views in these areas..

Answer 3

I'm a christian and i would live to vote for someone who is on the same level as me/community. i don't even look at who is a Democrat or a Republican. i vote for the best candidate who actually walks the walk instead of just talking the talk.

also...if someone in the political world claims a religion it's usually to show America that they have "family values". a lot of them don't practice what they preach.

Answer 4

Only to the extent that I want to be sure that the candidate isn't the sort who would try to use his/her position to impose his/her religious beliefs on the rest of the country by virtue of being "in power".

Aside from that, religion doesn't play much of a role in my voting decisions - issues do. I am pro-choice, so that by itself means that I generally disagree with conservative Christian candidates, so I don't vote for them. But it's not because they're Christian, it's because they're not pro-choice.

Answer 5

None of my beliefs matter in politics because they are all saying what they think the majority of voters wants to hear. Bush doesn't believe in god, if he did he wouldn't have run our country and Iraq into the ground for personal gain. I dont believe in god either so if he would've just said that from the beginning instead of being a lying pig i would prolly hate him just a little less. Politicians and religion dont mix, which is why i dont get why people want politics (very different from politicians) to.

Answer 6

Yes, because I like to vote for some one that is a Christian and shares my beliefs. I'll not vote for anyone until I have checked out their back ground and know what they say they believe in and then I watch their record in office and that determines if I vote for them again or not

Answer 7

No....I am a school teacher -- Special Ed. In fact right now I am an unemployed school teacher....lack of funding. I look at who does the most to help the poor...and those who cannot make their voices heard like the unborn or those who just do not know how to advocate for themselves. Religious affiliation means nothing if you do not DO. I am a registered Independent... and Catholic. I have voted both Republican and Democrat in the past. I owe allegiance to no party except for Jesus' preferential love of the poor. Bill Clinton did more -- far more to help the poor and oppressed....times were good...I could afford college and finish my degree and become a teacher. With Bush in office I cannot afford to finish my Master's...so I am unemployed.

But....let's just keep throwing money at Iraq so they can have their damn ZIP Codes and museum to Saddam Hussein's atrocities on our backs and those of our children. Tell me again, how the Idiot-In-Chief is a Christian. Nothing "Christ-like" about his actions! I do not ever support those who feel they have to wear their religion on their shirt-sleeves.

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (MT 25:40)

Answer 8

Yes I try to vote for a candidate that seemes to have the same moral standards that i do,like abortion,gay lesbian marriage,stem cell research.But you cant ever be really sure who you are voting for anymore.

Answer 9

YES Free will that is like asking if God or Satan where in the running which one would you choose.....Goes to show you , how many have turned Our Government over to Satan leaders...Go figure, I don't want NO ONE Leading this country that has and is Denying OUR God ...And all that dose , is of the anti Christ....

Answer 10

Only if the candidate is blatently anti God.... I try to remain loyal to the Founding Principles of my country... many "politicians" do not... if all political / world things are equal then I go with the one who is closest to my "Faith"