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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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Mike, ID
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... not all, of the christan faith
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January 28,2004
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they should let their moral convictions b the ultimate influence, not their religious convictions, which might favor a certain religion over another. the founding fathers of our country were not all, of the christan faith. there was at least one athiest, & one buddist[forgive the spelling]. but it is assumed that they were all moral men. christians do not have a monopoly on morality.
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Jorge Rome, AK
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... Constitution should govern
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January 28,2004
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Our God Fearing Consitution should govern through the rule of the people.
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James, LA
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... USA should be minimal
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January 28,2004
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Policy setting for the USA should be minimal and guided by reason alone. What is freedom if not freedom of conscience?
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Wendy, WA
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... Pandering religious views
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January 28,2004
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Equal opportunity employment laws preclude interviewers from asking an applicant to disclose their creed. This should apply to public office and one should be elected 'or hired' on their merits not their common religion with the majority voters...that's cheating in my opinion. Pandering religious views in exchange for votes is very disrespectful to truly religious people and it's just a sign of the many false promises that a politician is liable to distribute in their career.
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Oswald E. , NV
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... influence policy statements
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January 28,2004
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Many of my critical moments where saved in my life by calling on "MY GOD" who has helped me to make that decision. And so I believe even political Leaders need a higher power and or religious beliefs sometimes to make their decisions and influence policy statements no matter what religion it is and in this country it states GOD in the constitution and dont ever falter from this, it would "rock" this Nation, stay the course!
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Duane, WA
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... It's your choice!
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January 28,2004
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Wrong question! Political leaders should allow Christian beliefs to influence policy. You are either guided by God or by fallen man's rules. It's your choice!
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Don Sheff, CA
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... I am glad America
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January 28,2004
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I think leadership that is directed by emotions and not fundamental truths of the creator has and is what has been the bain of mans exsistence from the begining. Even Satan if you put his pride in the mix had his emotions out of line with Gods purpose for him. Now these are the deepest issues of our life and I am glad America provides this venue to understand why we are here and allow the search for personal truth. If one is honest with one self it can only be through The Christ Man Jesus that we understand God's love for us and his purpose and amazing grace for each and everyone of us. This is what the founders understood and recognized. THat it is by God's grace we find truth in our life. The greatest good for all should be at the heart of every godly choice a leader makes. I don't agree with President Bush on many issues but on his choice for personal hero I couldn't ahve been more happy for the man or for this country. How can a man lose the popular vote and still become president. God can change the heart of a man! I've written way to much but it's so important that we have these talks openly.
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Bill, WA
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... truly unconstitutional ...
January 28,2004
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Political leaders might appropriately demonstrate personal commitment to spiritual values, but basing public policy on a particular relgious bias is truly unconstitutional, I believe.
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Lorraine, WA
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... none of us can function in a vacuum
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January 28,2004
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Political leaders should not impose their religious beliefs onto others. However, none of us can function in a vacuum, and to say that my religious beliefs will not influence my decisions is saying that we can deny the influence and power of our faith, or lack of faith. Faith is part of the essence of who I am.
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Holly, WA
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... politician should remain neutral ...
January 28,2004
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Like a judge, a politician should remain neutral on religious issues. I'm not saying they shouldn't believe in a higher being or belong to any organized religious group. But it should be a private matter and making laws based on their personal religious beliefs is forcing everyone else to believe as they do. It is essentially "shoving it down our throats."
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Julie, WA
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... What harm can it do
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January 28,2004
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If it is God that influences someone let it be. Some one elses beliefs are not out there to influence anyone else, they are not going to affect the way someone does things, it is not going to change one man's views. What harm can it do to let them use their religious beliefs anyway they see fit?
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Susan, VA
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... protected by the first amendment
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January 28,2004
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This statement is absurd, unless it is desired that our leaders should be dishonest or hidden about what is motivating them in their actions. We, as a people, elect a person based on what we believe to be their values. To hide those values is counter to the democratic process. The reason a christian is consistently elected to office is because this is a predominately christian nation. Any elected official is protected by the first amendment- just as we all are. If no elected official is above the law, so no elected official is below it.
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Hector, WA
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... a thin line to walk
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January 28,2004
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it is the "people" they represent, not their religious values; a thin line to walk
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Holly, ID
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... for different reasons
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January 28,2004
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The terrorist who participated in 9/11 acted on his beliefs and Martin Luther King Jr. acted on his own beliefs. People use their religious "influence" for different reasons.. some good and some bad. Some on behalf of love and some hate. Some for freedom and some for control. People will be influenced by who or what they belive in - funny or sad, that's what they do.
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Peter, WA
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... frozen in time ...
January 28,2004
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If one really looked at the religious ideas of the founders and framers, he would be surprised at the anti-religious feeling they actually held. Thomas Jefferson removed all reference to miracles in his bible. Patrick Henry believed in God but not a Christian God. And all of these men were living in the shadow of the age of faith moving into the age of reason and the enlightenment. Had their notions of religion been allowed to mature for the next century they would've changed radically. The Christian Fundamentalists want us to remain in the Age of faith with the religious notions of the founders and framers frozen in time. And that is so very dishonest.
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Todd, CA
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... what is the point ...
January 28,2004
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If God and Religious guidelines are not our ideal.. what is the point of having any laws. If morality is not relative wouldn't speeding be not relative as well?
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Tony, CA
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... private decision
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January 28,2004
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Keep their religion to themselves, and I'll keep my atheism to myself.
Try to force their beliefs on me or others, and I'll oppose
them every step of the way.
What good is religion anyway?
People pray all the time for sick children, and the children die anyway!
Until people can PROVE that religion does anything good, it should be a private decision whether to have religion or not.
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Ed, WA
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... seek council
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January 28,2004
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Once again I see a question based on an superstitious assumption. Anyone who is put in a place of governance, in my opinion, should not allow his/her superstitions to dictate her/his political decisions. I could ask "Should a politition seek council from Astrology or tea leaves before rendering a decision?"
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Elaine, CA
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... a result of the way we think
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January 28,2004
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Many responders are not reading the question carefully. Their response is the opposite of the opinion they have chosen. My feeling is that anyone with strong religious convictions will not be able to keep them from influencing the decisions they make. Our behaviors are a result of the way we think. Therefore, it is imperative that we know a candidate's frame of reference before we cast our votes. I want to elect a candidate who has a strong sense of ethics and a vital relationship with God. However, a civil servant must remember that he/she represents people from all walks of life and belief systems. He/she must strive to work for the greater good of society rather than push his/her personal agenda. I want candidates to be transparent about their religious views or lack of them, so I can be aware of how to cast my vote for the person I feel would best represent my desires for our country.
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John, CA
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... no evidence for the existence
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January 28,2004
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That people in this age should believe in some kind of supernatural being that influences life on this little speck in the universe is simple superstition. There is no evidence for the existence of such a being.
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<
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25
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27
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