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"Political leaders should separate themselves from their religious beliefs when making policy statements or decisions."
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| Total # of Responses: 531 - 2/5/04 |
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35% |
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7% |
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6% |
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7% |
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40% |
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We have received feedback on this issue from people all across America. Review the graph to the left for a quick snapshot of the responses received to date, or read the responses below.
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Pat, OH
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... What would his absolute be
... 
January 27,2004
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To leave God out of one's decisions would leave every man to his own way of thinking. What would his absolute be??
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Howard, VA
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... look beyond them for a greater answer
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January 27,2004
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I cannot imagine asking someone not to be influenced by their religious beliefs. I can imagine asking them to also look beyond them for a greater answer that might serve a greater good. I think one may grow by expanding their horizons.
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Ozzie, IL
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... foundation of our moral center
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January 27,2004
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Religion or lack thereof is the foundation of our moral center. As a result, every person, regardless of their political bend, is influenced by those religious beliefs but strained by current popular assessments.
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Mary, NY
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... A good leader thinks of everyone.
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January 27,2004
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A good leader thinks of everyone.
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Robert, OH
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... They have a right to voice ...
January 27,2004
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That would violate their freedom of speech. They have a right to voice their beliefs whether religious or not.
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Shelley, TX
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... He should pray that he understands
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January 27,2004
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It should not have an influence, nor predjudice our presidents understanding of facts. He should pray that he understands what he learns about situations, pray he understands the consequences of his descisions. But nobody should use his personal belief by saying that his creator told him to do something, and hide behind it.
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Carmen, FL
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... strongly influenced by that upbringing
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January 27,2004
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It is difficult as a person raised in a religous enviroment to agree with this statement because I feel that my behavior is strongly influenced by that upbringing;however I do believe in the separation of church and state. I do not believe that our taxes should support any religous organization or activity. I also believe that any individual in any capacity should be able to declare his religous beliefs whether he's the President of the United States or the paper boy. Let's worry about what we need to do to resolve health care, joblessness and Iraq issues and not worry about establishing an "official" relgion, our founding fathers already addressed this in the constitution by declaring that we each have the individual right to practice whatever religion that we want to practice.
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Rohn Wood, MT
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... this is a nation of immigrants
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January 27,2004
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Before I began watching this show, I already agreed with this statement. As I watch and see the parade of policy makers and religous representatives I am struck by the fact that we define religous values in this countries in terms of Chrisitanity -- this is a nation of immigrants and they do not all come from Europe and practice Christianity. There are Muslims, Buddists, Hindus, Atheists and Agnostics in the body politic and the blindness that suggests only Chrisitians are Moral is offensive and discriminatory.
I strongly agree with this statement and cannot too strongly suggest that PBS fails to broaden this discussion to encompass all those non-Chrisitians who nonetheless are moral thinking individuals.
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Mike, FL
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... use their moral values ...
January 27,2004
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i think it is essential that leaders use their moral values to make decisions that effect the nation. in a time when values are vague and what is 'right' is not likely to be agreeded upon, i think political leaders must have decided in their own mind what it right and make decisions accordingly.
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Gerald, IL
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... defined by God the Creator
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January 27,2004
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I certainly disagree with this statement. A religious faith should certainly affect and control my moral behaviour and therefore my decisions. I believe in God and the Christian faith, and I believe that absolute truth is only defined by God the Creator, and He is the one I am accountable to. And I believe that political leaders should follow the same guidelines. Since our founding fathers designed our government on Biblical principles and the Christian faith, politicians who profess that same faith should certainly make their decisions on their faith.
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Daniel C. , IA
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... God out of our lives
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January 27,2004
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Our nation was founded recognizing God. The liberals and most Democrats want to take God out of our lives.The more we refuse God, the greater undoing of our nation will and is occurring.
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Lloyd, OT
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... what other foundation
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January 27,2004
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If it's not "God and religious convictions" that are openly allowed to be influencing politicians, then the question should be asked "If not God, on what other foundation do they base their morals and ethics" Certainly not on one that's either consistent or reliable.
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Stephaine, LA
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... best for the whole nation
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January 27,2004
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I think politicians should do what is best for the whole nation, I am strongly opposed to any elected official even saying the word "god". We have a diverse nation and not everyone believes in "god", so why would a political leader even allow religious beliefs to come in to play when making public policy?
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John, MN
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... follow the state's law
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January 27,2004
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I agree with the Alabama Attorney General, who has strong religious beliefs but declares that he must follow the state's law in all Alabama state policy statements or decisions.
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Michael, MI
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... is a secular thing
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January 27,2004
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Religion does not belong in government. I was a kid in Public School 82 in 1944 in Manhattan, NYC.It was WWII and we said the pledge of allegiance every morning.
"Under God" was not part of that pledge at that time. Pledging to a flag is a secular thing - not a religious thing.We also got along quite well without school prayer, thank you.Religion belonged in the home, church and the heart - not politics.
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Lucretia, WV
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... region-based pronouncements
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January 27,2004
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As a previous submission noted, it is impossible--and probably undesireable--for an individual in public office to separate themselves from their religious beliefs. But at the same time, they ennunciate policy for the entire community, not only their co-religionists, and should be mindful of that.
There was stated in your program at some point a concern that religion was vanishing from public life. On the contrary, you showed many in political positions making region-based pronouncements. In addition, I am not a religious person and wonder if it would be possible for someone to be elected to public office who unambiguously stated such a position. I mean, how do you end a political speech without saying, "God bless you"?
Thoroughly enjoyed your program, as usual. Your "Flashpoints" is always one of the most thought-starting. I especially liked the input of Os Guiness (?), the Trinity scholar, with his triangle of faith, virtue and civic virtue. But I believe it is possible to be virtuous without belief in God. I think the 'Golden Rule' pretty much covers it.
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Molly Lane, NY
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... Seems clear enough to me.
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January 27,2004
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Quote.. "Pay Caesar's things to Caesar but God's things to God".......Jesus Christ. Seems clear enough to me.
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F. Daniel , OH
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... based on their willingness to support
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January 27,2004
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What one believes may or may not come from their religious convictions. Whatever an individuals belief system happens to be, will be the foundation for their pronouncements and actions.
Individuals should select a prespective office holder based on their willingness to support the agenda they believe that candidate esposues.
I believe that any candidate seeking to justly govern, should weigh all opinions and viewpoints, and legislate for the common good - which will not always agree with their personal beliefs.
Attempting to rule by strict adherence to a specific belief system, "my way or the highway", is one of the catalysts for the creation of the independent nation that has become the United States of America.
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Lena, NC
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... what do we want?
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January 27,2004
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Religious leaders who don't let their religion influence their decision making are hypocrites. So, what do we want? . . . a religious leader who is true to the faith, a hypocrite or someone with no faith at all. I vote for the first one.
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Lee, PA
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... I am uncomfortable
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January 27,2004
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The Bible tells us to pray in private and not loudly out in the open for everyone to hear. I am a deeply religious person but I am uncomfortable with the way President Bush talks about his religion, especially as he really doesn't live it when it comes to the way he governs. He comes across as very phony and manipulative. Also, I'm old enough to remember when the phrase, "under God," was added to the Pledge to the Flag. Our teacher said he didn't know why, but all of a sudden we had to say it. It wasn't always there and really isn't necessary now. As far as I know, too, no other country pledges its flag.
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