Should a presidential candidate’s religion be a factor in an election, or is it

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   arizonataylorposted 12 years ago

   Should a presidential candidate’s religion be a factor in an election, or is it a personal issue?

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   Sooner28posted 12 years ago

   I don't understand why religious belief would be something "private," while all other beliefs are up for scrutiny.  There is no rational basis for this distinction.
   
   However, it depends heavily on what the religion teaches, and how serious the candidate in question practices their religion.  If their religion teaches that women are inferior to men, and they strongly believe that portion, then religion does matter.  If the religion is something that gives them inspiration, but doesn't effect their policy choices in any negative way, then I don't have a lot of interest, aside from abstract intellectual, in the religion itself.

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      arizonataylorposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I fully understand what you are saying.  If religion affects political views, it should be a matter of public record.  However, can this be taken too far?  Do candidates deserve some privacy?

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      Sooner28posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Candidates should be judged on policy positions, and on how they form their beliefs.  If their belief-forming processes are defective (Bush), then bad decisions will result.  That's why religion matters, and their beliefs about the moral and immoral.

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   bankscottageposted 12 years ago

   It shouldn't affect it at all.  We want a president with a good moral character regardless of their religion (or lack there of).

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      arizonataylorposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Does religion guarantee moral character?  Would you feel that any religion guarantees character or just some religions?

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   SassySue1963posted 12 years ago

   This is an interesting question really. While I am unconcerned with the actual religion of a candidate I also understand where Sooner28 is coming from as well. Some religions can teach some pretty out-there stuff at times. Not sure that religion should be private either. It seems nothing else can be claimed as private so not sure why religion would qualify to be so.

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5. 81

   Attikosposted 12 years ago

   It's entirely up to the voter. What is important to him in casting his ballot is no one else's business.

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      Sooner28posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      When your vote effects other people, it is their business!  I have a gay brother, and when people vote for homophobic candidates, it effects my brother directly.  You'd need another justification for saying "it's no one else's business."

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      Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No, I don't. Every citizen with a right to vote has the right to do it as he wants, on any basis he prefers. You, on the other hand, need an excuse for this blatant attempt to trample on that right.

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      Sooner28posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      LOL.  Um.  Who said I was trampling on the right to vote?????????  Did you even read my response?

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      Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Of course. I think you're not getting it. There is no further justification needed in saying that one's ballot in a free democracy is his business and no one else's. That it affects public issues is irrelevant. That's why ballots are secret.

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      Sooner28posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I didn't say I should be able to SEE your ballot, but your opinions do not only belong to you.  People who voted for segregationists had a major impact on African Americans; people who vote for the rich to pay more in taxes do AFFECT the rich.

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      Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Perhaps we're talking at cross purposes. There's no dispute that elections can affect issues, if not as much as we like to think. My point is there's neither any legitimate dispute that you may vote however you want, and no one else has a say in it.

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   Seraph77posted 12 years ago

   I'm not really sure how I feel about this.  I do think that if the presidential candidate HAS a religion, no matter what it is, he shouldn't be obligated to tell the voters.  I feel it is more personal than political.  Yet with such a diverse crowd of voters i'm sure every religion has a follower who dreams of the next president having their same values in faith.  Great question!!!!

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      arizonataylorposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      What if that religion runs counter to American ideals and moral codes?

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      Seraph77posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      What American ideals and moral codes are you referring to exactly?  Not every American has the same ideal and moral codes.  If they did America would be perfect.

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   stevesoposted 12 years ago

   I don't think a candidate's religion should be a factor in and election and I also don't think religion should be a factor in an election. This country is comprised of people from many different religions as well as those without a religion and making religion a factor in any election is should be unacceptable. A person of high moral character does not necessarily mean that he has to be a religious person.

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   tngolfplayerposted 12 years ago

   Any candidate has the right to practice their religious beliefs or be of any religion they wish when they run for office.  This also gives the rights to American citizens to not vote for any candidate based on their religious preferences.  In the larger scheme of things, and with the separation of church and state(which is not very separate a lot of times) religion should be pretty far down the voting poll. 
   The hot topic at this time is gay marriage.  This is a civil liberty and should not be interfered with by any religion and how the church has managed to keep it illegal is beyond me.  It should be protected and allowed.  Sexual preference is not a matter for any religion to dabble in as it is a civil/biological situation.

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   Old Empresarioposted 12 years ago

   It's obviously not a personal issue with most voters. Luckily we will have two de facto atheists running for the presidency in the next election, so god won't get to play this year.

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    benisan85745posted 12 years ago

    I would rather have an Athiest run the country correctly, than a Christian run into the ground.

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    34th Bomb Groupposted 12 years ago

    It's a factor if he sits at the feet of Jeremiah Wright, and only did THAT so he'd gain votes. i think he's been to Church 4-5 times in the past 3.5 years.
    I'm a "Cafeteria Catholic" and know I'D be a better choice.

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