|
"Political leaders should separate themselves from their religious beliefs when making policy statements or decisions."
|
<
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
>
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total # of Responses: 531 - 2/5/04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35% |
|
7% |
|
6% |
|
7% |
|
40% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Craig, DC
|
|
... One is who one is
... 
January 27,2004
|
That's a tough one. One is who one is. I think that the general tenants of the Christian life (if this is the religion we're speaking of) are inclusiveness, justice, and respect for other beliefs. Wouldn't it be great if most of our so-called "born again" politicians sought wisdom instead of imposing it?
|
|
Scott, IL
|
|
|
... History shows us
...
January 27,2004
|
God knows that we shouldn't be mixing religions with policy making. What's more dangerous than a leader who claims that he acts in "God's" name? What happens if someone disagrees with that leader's policies? Are they then against God's will? History shows us that many, if not most, of the travesties caused by man came under the guidance of someones' "God". Please, for the sake of God, leave all religions out of public policy. To claim that people have no moral values without religion, is to be ignorant of human nature.
|
|
Derrick Ha, WA
|
|
|
... original constitution
...
January 27,2004
|
I guess it all goes back to our original constitution.
What did George Washington, Thomas jefferson, Madison and all Our founding fathers really say... Or has that been corrupted also?
|
|
Nicole, CA
|
|
|
... we're in safe hands
...
January 27,2004
|
I agree to a certain extent: As long as our leaders are being influenced by Jesus Christ, God Himself, then we're in safe hands. If a leader worships anything else than the only God, then I strongly agree with this statement. It was because of God that David reigned in success.Am I biased? Am I narrowminded? WHen it comes to the truth, I can care less what you call me, truth is truth and you will see who stands in the end.
|
|
Derrick Ha, WA
|
|
|
... back to our original constitution
...
January 27,2004
|
I guess it all goes back to our original constitution.
What did George Washington, Thomas jefferson, Madison and all Our founding fathers really say... Or has that been corrupted also?
|
|
Nicole, CA
|
|
|
... truth is truth
...
January 27,2004
|
I agree to a certain extent: As long as our leaders are being influenced by Jesus Christ, God Himself, then we're in safe hands. If a leader worships anything else than the only God, then I strongly agree with this statement. It was because of God that David reigned in success. Am I biased? Am I narrowminded? When it comes to the truth, I can care less what you call me, truth is truth and you will see who stands in the end.
|
|
John, OH
|
|
|
... restraining influence against evil
...
January 27,2004
|
It must be said that many people who are against Christian morals influencing government have formed their ideas because of failures they have seen in those who profess to be christians. And The many wars that have been fought and injustices that have been done in the name of Christianity, but that was and is not true chrisitianity. Secondly the current of christian thought in our society has been a restraining influence against evil. Dont judge Christianity by the people who fail to live according to what it truly teaches: Love for your fellow man and that is not a religion.
|
|
Lizzy, VA
|
|
|
... very private personal matter
...
January 27,2004
|
Religion to me is a very private personal matter that I discuss only with family and very close friends. I expect political figures and leaders to follow that same policy. I also expect that political figures and office holders will follow the law of the land (for example, to support Roe v Wade)in their policy statements and decisions. I have no problem with the idea that they might pray in private for comfort when coming to a difficult decision, but I also expect them NOT to feel compelled to share this with the public.
|
|
Steve, OH
|
|
|
... We are evil.
...
January 27,2004
|
The rise and reign of Hitler demonstrated for the world the result of human will translated directly into public policy, guided only by considerations of logic and expediency. People are not naturally good. We are evil. Without a pervasive public and private awareness of God's laws to restrain our consciences, our laws and our government's actions will become increasingly evil.
Widespread rejection of God's changeless laws is the reason for the current degradation of our society's public and private morals. People not only do not care about good and evil, they do not even know good from evil, and they have no idea that their own self-centeredness and willful ignorance is itself evil. A people who no longer read the Bible have no possibility of knowing right from wrong. Our national and state governments' inability to make principled policy choices merely reflects the evil ignorance of our own people.
As a nation we are almost certainly too far gone for redemption now, however, and it is a vain hope that electing politicians who mouth religious-sounding platitudes or attend our "prayer breakfasts" or who erect more idolatrous monuments will halt our national descent into Hell. Christ Himself will return soon to wreak His just vengance on this world, and during those seven years, the scoffers of today who survive will have their last chance to repent.
|
|
Nancy Peek, FL
|
|
|
... founding fathers... clearly hold the belief ...
January 27,2004
|
Gee, if that is the case someone please alert the founding fathers, because the Declaration of Independence clearly hold the belief in the Christian God and the moral reasoning that God gave to his people. We hold these truths to be self evident...(yes folks it didn't take a reinterpretation of a runaway judge)that "all Men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness." What happened to the rights of infants? If the founding fathers held a tribunal today, would they convict the judical system of tyranny? I believe they would. The Declaration goes on to quote, whenever any form of government becomes destructive, the people have a right to institute a new one.
|
|
Al, VT
|
|
|
... NAME OF RELIGION many acts are conducted
...
January 25,2004
|
In the NAME OF RELIGION many acts of both kindness and brutality are conducted. Any belief system which leads people to build a church which requires a multimillion dollar operating budget or arms a group with amunition and explosives with which to control people who do not have the same belief system are both bastardizations of religion.
|
|
Bo, NC
|
|
|
... disregard their belief system is unreasonable
...
January 25,2004
|
To ask anyone to disregard their belief system when they take office is unreasonable. A candidate's beliefs and ethos are a major reason their constituency voted for them in the first place. It is the civic responsibilty of those with differing outlooks to pursue candidates and policies that they feel would more closely represent their views. However, holding office should not be use as a means to pursue a religious agenda, to the exclusion of other belief or value systems. No party, group, or constituency has a monopoly on righteousness. Thank you.
|
|
Tony, MN
|
|
|
... Humans need the infinite
...
January 24,2004
|
We are human beings that engage in everything from education, home life, workplace, Church, etc. We are made by Another. God gives us this human gaze to look at everything from science, theater, art, music, etc. Everything we learn and discover in these things is a part of how God works through out human history. Politics is the same. If we don’t have a gaze at politics with bases of God, then we are cutting out being human. God has a place in our political system. If there is no God in existence there is no human reality. It’s interesting to me because we all seek freedom. Our country was based off this need for freedom. Freedom is the relationship with the infinite. Without this infinite, God, Another, Mystery, then we are slaves. Humans need the infinite in everything we gaze at, everything we long for. You can’t separate God from anything. He made everything that we see, hear, taste, touch, feel, and long for.
|
|
Harvey, FL
|
|
|
... not of, by, and for their gods
...
January 24,2004
|
A Free Democratic Republic relies on a Constitution "...Of, By, and For the People," not of, by, and for their gods!
|
|
Gene, OH
|
|
|
... actions speak louder ...
January 24,2004
|
I believe that religion should be a private matter and do not care to hear the religious view of political leaders. I believe their actions speak louder than their declaration of religious faith.
|
|
Mike, OH
|
|
|
... represent their constituents
...
January 24,2004
|
I know that it would be incredibly difficult to separate my religious beliefs from my decision- making. That notwithstanding, if I were in a government leadership position, I would. Elected representatives represent their constituents - all of them and must make decisions based upon the will or what is in the best interest of the bulk of them.
|
|
Michael, OH
|
|
|
... We need more conservative judges
...
January 24,2004
|
God has been left out of politics too much, but Allah can be taught in school. If you can learn about Allah, why not God? This country's laws were based on the ten commandments, but the courts kicked them off the lawn of the court house. We need more conservative judges.
|
|
Kathy, AZ
|
|
|
... should not be pivital
...
January 24,2004
|
This is America....a "melting pot" of people and their religion. Political leader's religious beliefs may differ from those that She/he represents,and therefore should not be pivital in the political discisions that he/she makes for the people!
|
|
Dolly, MT
|
|
|
... does not mean they have moral values ...
January 24,2004
|
Just because someone declares their belief in God does not mean they have moral values I see necessary for a public servant. Too often "religious" believers feel the ends justifies the means. I would question if they felt the same way about their public office and position.
|
|
Kathleen, TX
|
|
|
... the voter should be aware
...
January 24,2004
|
I beleive political leaders cannot help but to be influenced by their religious beliefs it is a part of who they are.
If they have a strong or weak religious foundation or none at all this is who they are and will have an influence on decisions they make, along with all other influences such as, family,education,media,friends and associates,etc.
A politician is not exempt by their personal experiences to make policy statements or decisions,however, the voter should be aware of who they are voting for before they elect this person into office.
|
|
|
|
<
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
>
|
