Rick Perry has held prayer rallies in Texas, prayed for a weaker EPA, says that he will only select a "pro life" cabinet, and speaks of receiving super natural messages from God.
Overall, God is apparently communicated with a number of candidates regarding a number of election issues.
Even in the book we are reading in class right now, Al Franken's Why Not Me? God and religion play an important role in Al deciding to run for the American presidency.
What do you think?
Should God and religion play a role in American electoral politics? Why or why not? Is it important for a candidate to say they believe in God? Is it important for a candidate to say that they are Christians or Jewish or Muslim or Mormon or what ever? Does it matter to you which religion (if any religion at all) a candidate proclaims? What are some of the potential pitfalls of mixing religion and politics? Because there are so many different religions in America, does religion divide Americans more than it helps them cooperate?
Should God and religion play a role in American electoral politics? Why or why not? Is it important for a candidate to say they believe in God? Is it important for a candidate to say that they are Christians or Jewish or Muslim or Mormon or what ever? Does it matter to you which religion (if any religion at all) a candidate proclaims? What are some of the potential pitfalls of mixing religion and politics? Because there are so many different religions in America, does religion divide Americans more than it helps them cooperate?
Automatically I want to say that religion should be a big part of politics. However, I wouldn't want to support a politician who has extreme different religious beliefs than me. It is important for me though for a president to believe in God.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of negative aspects toward mixing religion and politics together. I would think that in a way, being that our country is very diverse these days, that religion would cause our people to pull further away from each other.
There are different religions that I would not want to be associated with or supportive of a president who were that particular religion.
Althouh I think it is important for God to be apart of our politics to a certain extent because that has been the way for a long time even though it wasn't clearly defined as to which particular religion that was.
Rose Walker
T Th 12:25
In my opinion, religion is crucial in politics. Our country is based off of religious background of some sorts. I believe it is okay for a candidate to discuss their religion and I believe it is okay for a candidate to discuss his or her denomonation if they chose. God and religion is depicted in more ways than one and usually, no one forces you to chose what beliefs you abide by. In some cases, if there are radicals of a religion, maybe it would divide Americans but in the events of September 11th, I believe it unified us and that is what it is meant to do.
ReplyDeleteKaila Burch
100.04
T-TH
PSCI
Religon is the main reason I look at when choosing who I will vote for. I want to be represented by someone who has the same views and beliefs that I do. If a citizen wants to make the right choice for president they need to look at all aspects of that person. All Christian candidates should say they believe in God. Its also important that they tell us what religion they belong to so the people can make the best choice. Religion matters to me. I won't elect anyone who isn't a Christian because they don't believe the same way I do. How can they have my best intrest if we don't have the same intrests in mind? I don't see religion as a dividing factor. I think most Americans come together through religion.
ReplyDeleteCorbin Clark
PSCI 100.3
MWF 11-12
For me a candidates religious views aren't a big deal. However some would argue that America was founded on Christian beliefs and yes there are plenty of religious peoples in America that would say they wouldn't vote for a non-religious president or even a president that doesn't have the same religious views as one self. So in my oppinion religion in politics isn't a big deal, but for most Americans religious views play a vital role.
ReplyDeleteMark Stephens
PSCI 11:10-12:00
MWF
I dont think candidates religions are important or should even be brought up in an election. Afterall we are elected a President for the country not a priest,minister,reverened, etc...It shouldnt matter how they spend their Sundays, but what their going to do for the country in a political/economical sense. As long is religion is not being forced on anyone it shouldnt matter.
ReplyDelete-Katlyn Kettering
PSCI 100.03
M.W.F 11-12
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn American history, religious views plays a big role in American Politics. Even if we would want people to not place importance on the candidates' religious views, it would still play a vital role in getting the vote of the people. A person's belief could immediately show the policies he/she would favor. Religion is just not about a person's personal preference but rather a justified belief to how a person should live their lives. This is why religious beliefs still matter to most of the people in the country.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with emphasizing one's religious views is whether they are sincere with what they are displaying to the public. It depends on the party running if they would make these religions cooperate with each other or use it as a weapon to separate them.
Leslie Uri Acuesta
PSCI 100 MWF 11:10-12:00
There is the law of seperation of church and state. I believe religion brings complications to things. If you say you believe in this you piss this religious group off and if you say you believe in that you piss that religious group off. But if a political canidate is religious then that is his right. As long as he does not push it on other people then I dont care. But as tradition you cannot take IN GOD WE TRUST or ONE NATION UNDER GOD out of the equasion. I do believe in God but I do not have Denomination or go to church. Everybodies veiws differ. Chad Watson PCSI 100:04
ReplyDeleteI do think that religion is an impotant factor in politics. I choose canidates who have the same belief system I do and that have certain presidental positions they want to accomplish that I agree strongly with such as Ron Paul's attenpt to make abortion illegal. I am in the middle about if religion brings Americans together for the most part I think it does but then I feel that some religions don't have the same views and perspectives as other relions.
ReplyDeleteTiffany Didawick
PSCI 100.04
I believe that religion is an important part in who I chose when I go to place my vote. I want to be led my someone who shares the same views as me, I agree strongly with Ron Pauls views on abortion and as Religion bringing Americans together I agree with the standpoint that for the most part you can see a standpoint on the view for religion as mentioned above when we see IN GOD WE TRUST labeled on documents. Your view on different things could determine your place within one religious group or the other but I believe that your view is your view, however you believe or what your beliefs are is the way you should place your vote. So many people today say they dont have an adequate say in who is president but that is highly wrong considering you can vote for your beliefs!.
ReplyDeleteJenna Hoffman
PSCI 103
MWF 11:10-12
I personally believe religion should be one of the least important things one should look at in a canidate. Hasn't anyone ever heard of a "corrupt" church? Just because a politician says they are of one religion doesn't mean they have the same views as you do. My youth pastor use to say regularly "going to church makes you a Christian just like going to Taco Bell makes you a taco." Think about it how many people do you know who attend church regularly and yet still act like they have never been to a church in their life when you see them outside of church.
ReplyDeleteAshley Wright
PSCI 100.04
MWF 11-12
I don't particularly care what religion a politician is, as long as they are doing their best to better the country. I however do not want politicians to start bargaining with the American people by proposing something and then backing it up with religious accounts or faith. That can get messy especially if some people are not the same religion and they don't agree. I am not a religious person and I would like my opinion on that subject to be able to stay that way.
ReplyDeleteAshley Bryant
TR 1225-140
There are two sides to this: the side where religion really shouldn't play a role in the elections or politics, and then there's the side where, well the candidate wants to be elected and a lot of Americans like religious candidates so candidates will use that to their advantage. Their religion should no0t have much of an impact on the way people look at them BUT I do understand that some religions do prevent certain political rulings, for example abortion. Abortion is problematic in some religions because it goes completely against the religion. So in a way religion plays a role in politics because it affects the way someone is going to govern...in all honesty this is a very touchy subject because it shouldn't affect the way people look at the candidate in a sense of, for example oh this candidate believes in God and this one doesn't so I'm going to vote for him. But they should look at whether or not the candidate's religion will have him governing a certain way and base their vote on whether or not they will like or agree with that form of government.
ReplyDeleteBrianne Fisher
TR 12:25-1:40
I think that it should not be as big of a deal if the United States has a religious leader or not. What should matter is that the leader is passign laws that would help the citizens. The leader should know the feelings of the citizens and their opinions. I think that if a leader is religious it should not matter what type of religion he believes in as long as he does not push his religious beliefs on society.
ReplyDeleteKaitlyn Matthai
PSCI 100.03
MWF 11:10-12:00
I believe that religion is very important in politics due to the fact that our country is based off of religious backgrounds. However, I dont think that one should not be able to be a leader because of their type of religion he/she believes in. As Kaitlyn mentioned above as long as they are not forcing their religion beliefs on us, because who are we to tell someone what religion he/she should be.
ReplyDeleteAmber Collis
PSCI 100:03
To anyone that says they don’t care what religion our president is or politicians what if our pledge of allegiance was changed to "One Nation under Allah?" To me this is pretty scary so I want our president to be the religion of the majority of our nation. I don’t think religion should be brought into Politics on the daily but it is and will remain a huge political stand point as long as religion is valued in this country.
ReplyDeleteJessica Bailey
PSCI TR 1225
To me, religion has no place in politics. I honestly don't care what religion a candidate is and it won't affect my affect my vote if they are whatever religion. I do think that religion divides more than it helps them cooperate. Some people don't have a belief in a god so if there is a big issue of religion in office, I think these people would feel left out or like they are an outsider.
ReplyDeleteBriana Simpson
PSCI 100-04
T/R 12:25-1:40
God is now and forever going to be involved in politics. The majority of voters like to see the men and women involved in the law making of the country have morals. God was involved in the founding of America and will continue to have influence on the government.
ReplyDeleteAbbie McMullen
MWF 11:10-12
Religion and politics should are two separate things. Religion should be kept at the indivual level while politics should be discussed between the whole nation. Incorporating religion into politics would result negatively. Americans have strong religious beliefs and tend to go to the extreme when it comes to what they believe in compared to what others believe in. Seeing how politics is government and that the entire U.S. plays a role in it, adding religion would/could cause many issues. Problems about religious services, rituals, spiritual gathering places, or even simply just a riot about the president being a different religion than them could cause issues that would take over the mindset of everyone. These small issues should not overpower the real issues going on in our society. Keeping religion out of the political field will eliminate any such problems from happening. Candidates should not their religion or even state whether they believe in God or not. I am a hypocrite about this very situation though. I want my leader to be a Christian like me. I want him to share similar beliefs. But in another aspect I know all others feel this way as well and not everyone is a Christian. So to minimize any problems, I would not care so much as to what religion my leader was as long as he kept religion out of politics completely. He should make no decisions concerning any religios matter. Church and state should be completely separated for the good of the people.
ReplyDeleteJessica vanFleet
TR 12:25-1:40
I believe that religion should not matter when it comes to the government but that they should not have extreme values. Not everyone believes in the same thing but that dosnt mean that there can be use of the word God. I want someone who can run the government and not let religion get in the way of it. Its up to them what they believe in. I believe with Jessica vanFleet that the Church and state should be completely separated for the good of the people.
ReplyDeleteI believe that religion should not matter when it comes to the government but that they should not have extreme values. Not everyone believes in the same thing but that dosnt mean that there can be use of the word God. I want someone who can run the government and not let religion get in the way of it. Its up to them what they believe in. I believe with Jessica vanFleet that the Church and state should be completely separated for the good of the people.
ReplyDeleteKatie Reeg
TR 12:25-1:40
I feel religion should play some part in politiics. However, should how religious or what religion a politician practices be the selling factor for winning votes? No, I do not agree. Having a candidate that believes and speaks of God is comforting. To me, God is Peace. When lookiing back over the last couple years, the world has been lacking Peace. I do realize when one speaks religion, majority of the time there is controversy. This has been proven when looking at the laws being passed to remove religion from schools. In conclusion, just as a house is built, it is started with a foundation. If the foundation is not strong, the house will have fault. This is what I look for when voting for presidency. The President needs to have good strong qualities, and if one of their qualities is their sincerity in God, what a great strength / foundation for the United States they would be.
ReplyDeleteMegan Manuel PSCI - 100.04
I personally think religion does play a role in politics. The decisions that one makes while in government are going to based on that person's morals and personal beliefs that are tied into their religion and I think that when voting for a politician or even president that we as Americans deserve to know the religion or beliefs of the person that we could be potentially voting for. However, as addressed in class, many government officials or politicians will lie to gain support or the vote of the public. In this case, I would much rather hear the truth than just what I want to hear, but I cannot come to a conclusion or a resolution of this particular issue because politicians will continue to lie as long as it gets them and keeps them in office.
ReplyDeleteReligion plays a heavy role in politics. Look at all the attack Obama recieved when he was being accused of being a muslim. Religion should not be such a heavy factor in politics. The constitution clearly recognizes the dangers of mixing the too and I feel it jeopardizes our countrys freedom of religion.
ReplyDelete.Amanda.Etube.
..PSCI.100.03..
I don't think religion should be a factor in choosing who runs this country but when it comes down to it, it will always be that way. We have embedded religion and God to heavily in our country. I doubt it will even be where someone wins the canidate, and he let people know that he doesn't believe in God.
ReplyDeleteBrian wilt
Psci 12:25-1:40
i believe that religion and God should play a role in american politics. I feel like it would help voters get to know their candidate better if they completely knew who they were voting for. But i also believe that trying to mix these different religions divide our country up more than bringing it together. Most americans take there religion very seriously and i'm sure that if they thought their beliefs were being threatened, it would not go over to well.
ReplyDeleteDylan Nick
Poly Sci 12:25-1:40
While I think that it is important for politicians to believe in the same God as I do, I am not sure that that makes them a better candidate than someone who may believe in some other God. I think that most Americans are very uneducated about the Muslim religion and many others for that matter. When I think about politicians and the motives they pull for a vote, I question whether or not they “believe” just for the vote. My mother has a cousin that is the Mayor of a small town in the south. He is family and therefore he speaks candidly to my parents. He has disclosed that he supports the beliefs of the Democratic Party (voted for Obama), when in fact his is a Republican electoral. He knows that living within the Bible belt and believing in abortion basically equals unemployment in small town politics. In theory, he is lying to the people of the town in order to get their support and I question how many others are doing the same. Everyone knows that the Republicans are backed by the Catholic Church and the Democrats are backed by the more liberal churches. There should be a separation and neither party should use their religion to get the vote. So Republicans support anti-abortion as does the Catholic church, do they also support the corruption that has haunted that Church for decades? People claim that they don’t want a “Muslim” in office, but can they really explain why? If this country was born on Christianity, then why I am as a healthcare provider no longer “allowed” to say “Merry Christmas” in the hospital that I work in? If the politicians we elect across the board believe in God, then why has prayer been taken out schools in the last twenty years? I remember in the last 70’s and early 80’s praying every morning after saying the Pledge of Allegiance. And if they believe in God, then why do the commit adultery, when it is one of the Ten Commandments?
ReplyDeleteI don't think religion should be brought up in elections or politics at all. There is a separation of church and state for a reason. It is so easy for politicians to abuse their denomination and get votes just because he is a Catholic or Baptist. As a person who has no 'set' religion, I am offended when people only vote for a candidate because of what religion they are. When politics, government, and religion is mixed, people become illogical. I am a firm supporter of gay marriage and one of the only arguments against it is the fact the 'Bible' says it is wrong. And the fact politicians agree with this and use it as an argument is entirely against my beliefs of how government should function. I don't believe in the stereotypical Christian God, so this issue is such a thorn in my side.
ReplyDeleteDanielle Smith
Polisci 12:25-1:40
Tue/Thur
I do not think that God should play a role in politics at all. It has nothing to do with which person is better human being. The people that argue politics should be concerned about the bigger issues that the United States currently faces rather than what type religion is and if they believe in God. Therefore, I think that it is stupid for religion to be talked about in politics.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Shank
Polisci
Tues/Thurs
12:25-1:40pm
I don't think that religion should play a part in government. Religion is a touchy subject and many people have different beliefs, so I feel like it would only create controversy. It would definitely divide our country because of this. It is also not relevant and does not affect how the government is run in anyway.
ReplyDeleteSara Paquet
PSCI
MWF
11:10-12:00 pm
I don't think religion should play a role in politics, although it often does. On topics where religion can often influence one's stance politically (like abortion for example), I think people of the same religion would share some of the same political stances. This would cause people of the same religion to support a candidate of the same religion on some cases. I don't think it would upset me if someone that is a religion other than mine was president. It is very hard to separate religion form politics and I think sometimes candidates manipulate the public by appealing to people who believe that God SHOULD play a role in politics.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Lundstrom
psci 100:04
TR 12:25-1:40
I do not agree with the use of religion in politics, but it is impossible to avoid. This country was founded on religious ideals so it would be impossible to remove religion from politics without dramatically changing the way the country is operated.
ReplyDeleteTR 12:25
I do not think religion should be included in politics. Religion can be a very touchy subject for some people because everyone has their own belief. If a canidite says their religious view it may cause some people to not like them, and that is not fair. It can cause huge controversays that easily could be avoided if the politics were not involved.
ReplyDeleteAlexis Kun
100-03
I strongly believe that a person’s religion should not play a part in politics. That is not to say that a person who shows poor judgment in making reference to religion should not be held accountable. I believe that in most instances that the President’s religion is as likely to affect policy as much as whether or not he/she chose to have orange juice or milk for breakfast would. However it’s clear that voters definitely take a candidate’s religion into consideration. There has only been one Catholic president (Kennedy), and it is likely that John Kerry would have been elected president were he not Catholic. I think that religion does divide those who allow it to rather than focusing on the big picture and common good. Aren’t most religions in a nutshell suggesting the same thing-be a good person and do good things?
ReplyDeleteJohn Winterstine
PSCI 100.04
TR 12:25-1:40
Religion is and should be a private matter. There are bigger issues that need to decide the outcome of the election. I hesitate to endorse someone who makes there religion a strong part of their platform.
ReplyDeleteI think JFK expressed my opinion best in his 1960 speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo5OwuryDfo
Colleen Boyle
PSCI 100.03
MWF 11-12
I truthfully believe that no it shouldn’t matter what religion a candidate is because people are always going to have there own moral views, different people are going to have there own moral views and just because of someone religion it shouldn’t be held against them. But I have yet to really see a president that I know of really push his or her religion into politics. But if we have someone who obviously lets their religion play a role in office, there are too many people that have different religions and everything would really crash. Now, Obama, has his morals and he has his right to reflect his morals but If he would fully believe just in his religion there would be many problems because of the variety of people the United States have. There is always going to be 50% of people liking and 50% of people disliking, because you are always going to be wrong and right. But if a president pushed his religion you would have those percent of people one side, against everyone that has a different religion, and that would cause huge problems.
ReplyDeleteRyan Potts
T-R
12:25
As for religion in politics it should have no effect in politics since there should be a separation of church and state. However, a majority of the world's population is christian and feel that their beliefs are the one and ultimate truth displacing any other religion. I feel that candidates are forced to speak "God Talk" because the christians at be will not accept anything other than another christian person. They view other thoughts of spirituality as threatening and completely dismiss any other religion in the blink of an eye. It's pretty much because people are insecure and not accepting of anything else but what they themselves believe in its been happening for thousands of years. Before christianity came around everyone was Pagan so whats the haps with this christian crap in that you must be a Jesus lover to be president its completely immoral and wrong.
ReplyDeleteJimmy Hanback
PSCI T TR
1225-140
I don't believe our leaders should tell us or force us to believe in the God or Religion they are tied to. I do think religion is important in our politics though. It gives us a set of morals and beliefs on how we should act and treat others. When we vote for a candidate we tend to vote for the person that most relates to the voter. Religion and specifically christianity holds close to a majority of voters and the voter wants to see somebody like themselves representing them with same morals and values to improve our country.
ReplyDeleteAlexander Bibby
PSCI 100:04
T/R 12:25
Candidates are inclined to have some background of religion in order to be elected. That is the simple truth of the matter. What I don't believe should happen is for a president to try and sway our opinions on god for what religion we should belong to like Alexander above me has said. Religion is important to me but I don't think that it should be on the top of the list. I do not care what religion a president is in as long as they don't just talk about religion. They need to talk about economics and other political problems. Mixing politics and religion can obscure what is really the most important things going on in this country. I am not saying that religion is not a big deal I am pointing out that jobs, social security and health benefits are also very important. I believe religion does divide people because they believe their own religion is the most important and all others are obsolete.
ReplyDeleteTroy McNeill
PSCI 100.03
MWF 11:10-12
I believe religion is important to me when it comes down to who I choose to be the President of the country I live in. Although, I don't believe it is important that the President is the same religion as me. I just think of it to be important that s high morals, self-respect, and values that are similar to mine. Religion both separates and joins together people in America. Whenever there is a tragedy, it is common that people join together through their own personal religious practices. Although, one person always tries to make their religion superior which I don't believe is the point of religion.
ReplyDeleteKirsten Dorosh
PSCI 100.03
MWF 11:10-12
I believe God and Religion already do play a role in American electoral politics. Many America's look at the candidate's morals and beliefs. This gives the voter and candidate a similarity that they both strongly relate to. Among all adults over 70% are Christians. If there was a Muslim or atheist running for president they wouldn't make it far simply because of religious back grounds. Barrack Obama was an exception but his religion was a huge issue before and after he became president. Like any other political topic religion will bring together and divide people. Religion will always a touching subject but it will always have it's role in politics.
ReplyDeleteMegan Frazer
PSCI 100:03
I am a christian and I don't like the way politicansuse religon to gain votes.
ReplyDeleteDwight Shilling
PSCI 100.03
I do not believe that religion should play any part in politics. Of course we should elect someone who has morals, but I feel that a politician should not get into office because of their religion. Many people who are not as well educated about government might just vote a politician in based on his/her religion. Our president should be elected based on his/her ability; not their religion.
ReplyDeleteCheryl Kesner
PSCI 100.03
I think that religion does play a role in politics. I think to a certain point that it should be a part of politics. Like we mentioned in class a person who is elected into office will most likely base their decisions off of their beliefs. Therefore it s going to play a role- and we cannot control that. I think religious saying and mentioning God gives the candidates a certain quality that the American people want to see. There is the stereotype of a “religious, church going person” that goes along with this position. People want to see this. Religion can also be a bad thing, if a candidate claims to follow one religion people who don’t follow that certain religion may be offended and not vote for that candidate. So I think it goes both ways. It doesn’t bother me that religion is used in politics and it can be help or hurt their campaign efforts.
ReplyDeleteSara Balog
PCSI 100-04
TR 12:25-1:40
I don't necessarily think that it has to be God playing a role, but I do, however, think that whoever is running our country has a sense of morals and beliefs. I also believe in separation between church and state. With that being said, no matter how hard we try, religion will always play a role in politics simply because someone who is a christian is not likely to vote for an atheist and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe in a separation of church and state but since a person's religion often strongly effects there decisions I do think a person's religion is something to take into consideration before putting them in a position to make decisions that will effect you.
ReplyDeleteTo me it matters more to what extent they have their religion effect their agenda. Even though someone with the same religious beliefs as me would be appealing i rather someone of a different religious than someone who takes my religion to an extreme, because i see a lot of danger in a fanatic.
I'd also like to think that if they claimed the same religious beliefs as me that they'd be more likely to lead the country in a way i'd agreed with but i know their actual beliefs and what they claim are likely very different.
Alexandra Kezman
PSCI 100
TR12:25-140
Politicians talking about religion is huge for votes. It is socially wrong for many to not believe in God because Christianity is the largest religion in the United States. I do not think that religion really matters in a presidential candidate and never really think about it. I think that religion has no place in politics because it causes too much uneeded tension.
ReplyDeleteGarrett Hess
PSCI 100:03
MWF 11:10-12
Though politicians use religion to sometimes better the chances of getting elected, there is a separation between church and state. Whether the candidate is Christian, Jewish, or any other religion or non-religion, it shouldn't have an effect on the presidential evaluation. People tend to think of the president as a Christian who thanks God for winning the election, so this change is not likely to happen.
ReplyDeleteDanny Kremen
TR: 12:25-1:40
Poli Sci 100:04
I feel that religion should not play a role in our politics, because there should be a separation of church and state. I believe that candidates can have morals and be very open about their morals but I feel that should not back it up with God. I feel that Rick Perry is not appealing to every audience. He is restricting his audience by talking about how he gets messages from God. This is because he is not appealing to the whole spectrum of pro life people, because there are a lot of pro life people that are not religious. A lot of people look at him (such as me!) and think the guy is crazy. So NO I do not believe that religion should play a role, and I feel that candidates need to stop doing it. I wouldn’t consider myself not religious, I am, but I am not stupid either and get sucked into the vortex that the candidates are portraying.
ReplyDeleteHope Fraer tr 12:25-1:40 pm