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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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Timothy, VA
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... loose the freedom
... 
January 27,2004
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If our political leaders stop looking to the God of creation and Biblical principles to guide them in their decisions then we will loose the freedom we now have as "One Nation Under God"
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Hugh, KY
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... I have no problem
...
January 27,2004
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25 years ago, Bill Moyer ran a series on Public TV, God & Politics; part of the servies related how the the Evangelicals were going to "set the Southern Baptist Convention right." What we're seeing now is a continuation of this initiative. Rerunning Mr. Moyer's series would be very instructive concerning the current situation. Personally, I have no problem with the Ten Commandments being hung, God being in the Pledge, etc. I do have a problem with who is pushing for this; it is their intent to put their religious stamp on everyone and we don't need the American Christian version of the Taliban.
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Brad, FL
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... vote for the other guy
...
January 27,2004
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I, personally, do not wish to vote for anyone who makes a big deal about religion in their life. In truth, it says nothing about their moral fiber, it only tells me "vote for the other guy!" In the upcoming election, when I am able to vote, one of the major factors in my choice will be how much religion will probably effect their decisions. Whoever seems least likely to do something unconstitutional, throwing religion and state together, will probably get my vote.
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Louis E. B, OH
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... our country depends on it
...
January 27,2004
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The very survival of our country depends on it.
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Mike Holde, MN
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... for the better ...
January 27,2004
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I believe thats fine as long as it's for the better of the country and not personal interests.
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,
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... values guide us t ...
January 27,2004
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Our religious values guide us to make the best decisions as individuals and as citizens/members of a community.
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Michael, MI
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... this candidate is ...
January 27,2004
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This is part of the big picture of who this candadite is. A part of why I vote for one over the other. Think of it, having the President quabblilng over a simple word like, "is." Clinton was not a man of God!
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Susan, NJ
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... should not be in the public
...
January 27,2004
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Policy statements and political decisions affect all citizens who may or may not practice religion or believe in God and should not be based on personal religious beliefs or make any mention of God or religion. Religion or the lack thereof should not be in the public realm.
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Tom, NJ
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... religiuosly insane
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January 27,2004
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John Ashcroft is an exellent example of one who makes all of his government choices based on his religious belief; he is severely religiuosly insane.
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Ross Lewch, MD
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... under such honesty
...
January 27,2004
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Openness and honesty require revealing one's religious beliefs. If one achieves public office under such honesty, then the people have permitted religious expression.
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Steve Z, NJ
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... moral standards to guide
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January 27,2004
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better to have moral standards to guide and self justification and realism.
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Drew, OH
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... dramatically different
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January 27,2004
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For most of this show you spoke of religion as if it was one monolithic idea. Should religion inform our government? What religion? Whose God?
We are a more religiously diverse people than any Founding Father could have ever imagined. There are so many other religions in America which do not affirm 'God' (capital G) through the divinity of Christ that to pretend Religion in America is the same for everyone is nonsense. Your show continues to mis-shape the argument as if it is religion v. nonbelievers. You should have asked your proponents of religion in government to identify what God they were talking about. Then it would become readily apparent that their religion's ability to inform and govern those who do not believe as they do falls far short of the representative democracy that is America. NO ONE religion can claim to be the standard bearer of American spirituality today. Therefore, no religion should be acknowledged in ANYWAY by the government of this pluralistic nation as being so. The idea of 'God' (capital G) has such dramatically different meaning from one religion to another as to be a different entity altogether and will more likely bring about strife in America today than it would harmony. If religion continues to inject itself into the public as it has in the past, tonight's contentious debate will appear insipid when compared to the hostility religion will engender in the future.
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Connie, MI
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... cannot be separated
...
January 27,2004
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Tell that to the authors and framers of the constitution. The two cannot be separated. I consider it to be as contrary as making the statement that human beings really don't require human blood to sustain life, but that it could be replaced with gasoline and still function as intended.
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William, TN
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... should not be frowned
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January 27,2004
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I believe that the role of faith in politics should be allowed in that there should be no rancor against someone saying that they need "help" from a higher authority be it religous or otherwise to help them in difficult decisions. If for example a pagan or New age spiritualist or a Native American gained the Presidency there should be no outcry if they said that they allowed their decisions to be influenced fro say their ancestors or the teachings of their particulr belief. A higher moral code comes from such religous backgrounds and should not be frowned on.
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Rodger, FL
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... Faith in our values
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January 27,2004
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I believe that a Political leader who is not willing to acknowledge the power which has placed him in that position is in self denial. Any Political Leader who not willing to allow himself or herself to believe in the very fabric which has been the foundation of America and has made this country the Great Nation that it has become because of the Gods Blessings is not fit to be in office. Faith in our values based on our beliefs are what have made this country the most feared and respected power in the world Today!
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Dorothy, NY
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... a belief in right and truth
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January 27,2004
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I think there is not the necessary distinction between God and organized religion. A belief in God is usually understood to mean a belief in right and truth, and what some organized church teaches, or what was written over thousands of years should not outweigh that. Therefore I believe that a leader should be influenced by his belief in what is right, which equals what is God's law.
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Mike, MD
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... let truth prevail.
...
January 27,2004
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Speaking from a 'Biblical' point of view, if policy goes above the law of God, then I believe that belief should influence policy. If not, then let truth prevail.
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Nancy, MD
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... began with taking politics out of the church
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January 27,2004
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I find it interesting that no one mentioned that politics should not interfere with religion. It is my understanding that the separation of church and state began with taking politics out of the church. And that no one asked "what is your image of God?"
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Todd, NY
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... NO place for god in public policy
...
January 27,2004
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There is NO place for god in public policy! That's for theocracy not democracy.
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Gary Baldw, OH
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... Look at some of history's worst
...
January 27,2004
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Look at some of history's worst in the last century--Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot, Stalin, Saddam Hussein. They were agnostics, and they made a mess of things. Can you find a person of faith that can equal their malevelence?
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