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.

... This is not a simple question ...

January 24,2004

I AGREE that "Political leaders should NOT allow their religious beliefs to influence policy statements or decisions." [Are other responders READING this statement before they respond with "Agree"/"Disagree"??!]

In a way, and in some situations, this should be a difficult thing to do. But for leaders with religious beliefs, I think they must strip away all but the very core, the essential roots of their beliefs. Then I would hope that they would examine the issue both ways, through the eyes of their religious beliefs, and then without, but keeping ETHICS always a part of their thinking. I wish that they would then make decisions based upon: (a) the desires of the people they represent (if they're senators, congressional reps), and/or (b) the good of people in the entire country, and (c) the good of humankind worldwide. (--not necessarily in that order, and not necesarily one to the exclusion of another.)

I believe leaders need to acknowledge the implications of a policy or decision upon their own personal beliefs, and this might help them know how they or others might then be affected in the future, so that the leader can anticipate difficulties. Still, they must proceed to decide based on (a), (b), and/or (c) above. In my ideal world, their beliefs would not conflict with what I see as basic ethics, and their ultimate decision. This is not a simple question, in my mind!

... I would rather be lead by reason ...

January 24,2004

What does history show but the atrocities and crimes committed by people invoking god to justify their actions. I would rather be lead by reason and evidence than emotions and religious fanaticism.

... I do not think the word "God" belongs ...

January 24,2004

I do not go to church or have any desire to be part of organized religion, and yet I know that my strong sense of morality is founded on my family's Christian roots. However, I do not think the word "God" belongs anywhere in the public sector. There should be no "In God We Trust" on our money, and "God Bless America" should not be the end of every political speech. Even if we claim to mean some sort of universal God, the word is loaded with too many assumptions and propogate America's self-righteous image.

... This is a democracy ...

January 24,2004

We, the people, are not and should not be a theocrocy. This is a democracy. Laws and decisions afect every one, christian and non-christian alike. As a melting pot of the world our laws should refect our religious as well as our ethnic differences!

... Religion guides the lives of those who truly belie ...

January 24,2004

To say that religion should play no such role would be to reduce religion to a meaningless shell. Religion guides the lives of those who truly believe, so such a view would permit only athiests to serve in government. The 1st Amendment used the term "establish" to prevent the USA from doing what Henry VIII did. Today's interpretation of the Establishment Clause takes it to ridiculous lengths and effectively eviscerates the Free Exercise clause, a clause of the 1st Amend we curiously hear little about these days. Wall between church and state, which does not appear in the Constitution, was uttered in the Federalist Papers to say that the government should not interfere with the church, as Henry VIII did so destructively. To construe this as not allowing prayer in school etc. is to give it a meaning it never had, as revealed by the words of the 1st Amend itself, and by the historical practice of Presidents in appealing to God, and even leading the nation in prayer as FDR did, not to mention "In God We Trust" on bills. I believe that an influential minority in the USA has values at odds with those of Judaism and Christianity, especially as these religions relate to self discipline, restraint and sexual morality, and that these people see religious influence in government as a threat to their pursuit of pleasure, which is not to be confused with something much deeper and more meaningful, ie, happiness.

... Are we a christian ...

January 24,2004

Are we a christian nation the same as other nations say they are muslim{etc.}?

... Imagine a president invoking a different god ...

January 24,2004

Those who say they want political leaders to rely on religion for matters of public policy should add: "...as long as it's MY religion".
Imagine a president invoking a different god than the one YOU worship during their State of the Union Address. Now what's your answer?

... Our laws come from the 10 Commandments ...

January 24,2004

Accordingly to the Bible the Church and state is one in agreement to edify and come together into righteousness, and the law is for one who breaks the Commandments. Our laws come from the 10 Commandments; if it were not so we wouldn’t have any laws.

Church, and the state haven’t found complete comfort in working for the Lord and the nonbeliever, because the Lord, who made and created everything on earth, has not been revealed to all of the churches, which claimed to know God.

For this reason, the law has forbid believers in Christ speaking about Him in public schools with most jobs following. We must keep in mind that these are the places where most of the tragic occurred in the past.

You must make up your mind, if you're going to vote for a leader who encourages you, and others to serve the living God, who created you. The laws and everything on earth

... God should be left out of the president's policy ...

January 22,2004

God should be left out of the president's policy and of our domestic and international affairs.

... Without moral leadership we would have absolute ch ...

January 22,2004

Of course I want our nation's leaders to have a clear sense of values and of God. Without moral leadership we would have absolute chaos.

... I think they should not inflict ...

January 20,2004

On one hand I like knowing my leaders have strong moral guidance. On the other, I think they should not inflict their particular religious views on the rest of the country.