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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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Sheryl, FL
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... where does their moral code originate?
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January 27,2004
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If the basis of our country's government is the law of God (see Supreme Court Trinity Decision), how could a political leader NOT be influenced by their be religious beliefs! If not religious, where does their moral code originate?
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Charles Co, LA
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... based on our fundamental beliefs
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January 27,2004
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Whether we are aware of it or not, all of us have "world outlooks" or, "ways we look at ourselves and reality." The foundations of our outlooks are based on our fundamental beliefs and convictions. If this foundation is not religious, it is secular or "based on temporal, material values." Surely these do not have greaterintrinsic worth than those based on spiritual, eternal values.
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Candace, NC
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... arrogantly forcing his beliefs
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January 27,2004
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When a political leader uses the government to promote a religious tenet, that leader is arrogantly forcing his beliefs upon other Americans with different beliefs. As we are "created equally" so our ideas are equal under the law. To draw on ones faith in decision making is a separate issue.
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Marilyn, NJ
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... not one that should enter public policy.
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January 27,2004
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Religion-"The service and worship of god."T hat definition is not one that should enter public policy.
Education,ethics,morality and philosophy should direct political leaders.
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Rasool, DC
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... Policy is just a reflection
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January 27,2004
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The statement that one's religious beliefs should not affect policy decisions reflects the impossible dichotomy that I believe many have embraced. As the University of Pennsylvania's motto says "Laws without morals are useless". Policy is just a reflection of our values and therefore are inevitably influenced by our beliefs. Overtly relgious beliefs are attacked I believe because of an anti-religious bias. Somehow secular humanism, atheism and other religious views are presented as "objective" and faith in God is seen as "subjective". I believe these distinctions are arbritrary and harmful to the rights of the faithful.
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Manos, NJ
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... state sponsored religious intolerance
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January 27,2004
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Religion or lack of is an individual private practice that should not impinge in the public arena. The inquisition, witch burnings, genocide of indigenous peoples and other crimes against humanity as recent as Bosnia have been results of state sponsored religious intolerance.
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Mark, TX
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... someone they can relate to
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January 27,2004
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The Republicans know that conservative white voters in the South still want someone they can relate to. Being a Christian in the South is like being a college graduate in the North. Let everyone know. It's an accomplishment though only one is actually improving oneself. The first method is to get insecure people who need a way to identify to vote for stupid white men.
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Jazmira, MD
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... the world is founded by God
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January 27,2004
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I think God should play a strong role in our country, because this country and the world is founded by God...and one of the mistake of men is to take prayers out of schools, and now this is the reason why most of the kids are fearless,corupted, and dangerous
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Joseph, NE
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... foolish to go against one's concience. ...
January 27,2004
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It would be foolish to go against one's concience.
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Todd, VA
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... no one is to stand in judgement of others. ...
January 27,2004
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It's fine that leaders, political and otherwise, have strongly held beliefs and these beliefs are based on or informed by religious teaching. However, no one, according to the Bible, is to stand in judgement of others. So a leader that attempts to impose his or her religious beliefs on all Americans rather than performing their sworn duty to uphold the Constitution and US laws, in fact, violating the same beliefs she or he claims to hold so dear. Not to mention they are violating the oath they swore to uphold, which in and of itself is a moral issue they will have to wrestle with.
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Tom, KY
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... a personal choice
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January 27,2004
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Religion or the lack of it is a personal choice. I do not believe that personal religious beliefs have a place in the legal system. The question of same-sex unions for example should be purely a legal matter. If religious organizations choose not to accept them or bless them, that is fine but legally everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or preference should have the right to form a legal union with the person of choice regardless of gender.
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Denny, MD
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... the Constitution can be interpreted
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January 27,2004
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What other criteria can they use to make a decision? Our judges show that even the Constitution can be interpreted many ways. At that point what is left?
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William D , PA
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... we all lose
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January 27,2004
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Fact, since prayer was taken out of school by one person,Ha,HA,HA when one person can change things for everyone there is no democracy at all.Rule of the masses is what makes a democracy.Taking prayer out of school, look at the moral decline that followed,legalized PORN,Abortion,Morals decayed
no respect ,murder increases in minority groups Gangs,Murder in our schools,Terrorism,breakdown in our total values follow the path and watch what happens when God is taken out of our general education of our chrildren.Any one with any common sense can see the relation of taking God out of our schools.I am happy we have a president that is willing to show his relation with the Lord. Remember every time one person changes things for all of us we all lose as these things only happen under a dictatorship.
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Marcy, NY
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... not superimpose religion on civic duties.
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January 27,2004
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An elected official should be guided by his/her conscience but not superimpose religion on civic duties.
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Su Hardema, SC
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... This is tough!
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January 27,2004
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This is tough! I think it would be hard not to be influenced by ones religious beliefs. I do not think policies should be made based on ones denominational values. However, theological views and basic world views would affect ones thinking and values thus ones ideas for policy. Again thanks for the series.
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Iglooo101, OT
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... absolutley right ...
January 27,2004
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absolutley right.I expect the head of the state to rule based on what is best for me(which is you and I) and not based on what they think is best for me(which is you and I)
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James, MI
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... without superimposing my beliefs
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January 27,2004
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How can I separate my spiritual practices from my political decisions? They are the fiber of my being. However, i can make those decisions and choices without superimposing my beliefs and specific religious practices on others who may worship differently. All political decisions should be made with RESPECT for all the constituents and their practices and beliefs. When one religion is placed above others, it threatens the very foundation of the country and everything we practice and believe in.
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Lorena, TX
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... believe it's much better to have God's
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January 27,2004
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I love that George W. Bush makes his decisions based on prayer and his religion. How would you like it if a human being was making the decisions, no I believe it's much better to have God's influence.
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Marilyn, MN
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... I thank God for President Bush
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January 27,2004
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Everyone's religion influences how they live their lives and politicians are no different. The problem is that many politicians have no religion and are trying to impose an atheist state upon the rest of us. I have never been very religious but now that churches in the United States are under attack I thank God for President Bush and his strong faith.
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David, NY
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... I pray often for President Bush
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January 27,2004
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I would just like to say that this country has been blessed because of our acknowledgement of God. If we stray from this we will be traveling down a very dangerous road! In the days of Noah this type of behavior led the Lord to act in the manner He had. Personally, I sleep much better at night knowing that we have a president who has a deep relationship with God and starts off his day by spending time in His Word! I pray often for President Bush as do many and I know the Lord hears and blesses those prayers.
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