The faith factor: Should religion matter at the polls?

[Cannikin]

Two months before election day, he (Kennedy) addressed the issue head on in Houston, Texas, telling ministers the separation of Church and State was "absolute." He said, “I will make my decision in accordance with these views, in accordance to what my conscious tells me to be in the national interest without regard to outside religious pressure or dictates.”

But John Kerry, also Catholic, the issue for some isn’t that the former altar boy is too religious… but rather, that he isn’t religious enough. John Kerry supports abortion rights and stem cell research, and has been citing Kennedy to fend off sharp criticism from the clergy.

Last Tuesday, he said “I’m running to uphold the constitution of our country which has a strict separation of the affairs of Church and state, and that’s what we lived by with President Kennedy and that’s what we’ve lived by for over 228 years, that’s what I will live by.”

As for President Bush, his supporters see an opportunity: A recent magazine poll found that 56 percent of voters believe America is a religious nation and that religious values should guide political leaders.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5227689/

[comradebillyboy]

1. yes

i would be most unlikely to vote for any kind of fundamentalist or even any one who seems excessivly religious to me.

[quaker bill]

2. I am religious, that is why I am voting against Bush

The war in Iraq and the lies that led up to it are not the acts of a truly religious person. The quality of one's faith are best reflected in the truth and justice of one's actions.

There was no discernable truth or justice involved in this course of action.

[Warpy]

3. I think sensible people are awakening to the implications

of having fundamentalist Armageddon freaks in power.

These guys honestly think it doesn't matter how badly they screw up, because they don't think they're going to have to deal with any of the consequences.

Sensible people expect to live a bit longer than they do, and realize that the consequences are dire.