Seriously, GOP? Really?

[Wezil]

It's why I don't live in a fundamentalist nation. Some of us like to keep religion and politics well apart.

[Wezil]

I considered voting Elizabeth May (Green Party) as a protest vote until I heard her going on about her Masters of Divinity.

Next!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Fundamentalists nations don't protect Hustler Magazine as an expression of free speech

[Wezil]

No, you aren't quite KSA. It is a scale.

[Imran Siddiqui]

& besides, one can't necessarily "keep their religion & politics apart". It's a BS belief that one can divorce something essential to their being from other aspects of their life. If they don't talk about their religion in the public sphere that doesn't mean they don't use it in private decision making. I'd rather know about where they are coming from than not (some would say ignorance is bliss in political motivations). Not like, say, President Obama is talking about it all the time - but I think it is valid to know that part of his motivation for national health care is his faith.

[Wezil]

I would agree with that.

The fundie nature of the US is cultural and not institutional yet it bleeds into politics. The Obama (and others) motivation you refer to would be an example. The recent controversy regarding contraception and health insurance another. Pops up in abortion (and strangely) death penalty debates. Politicians on the campaign trail must do the obligatory "church scene" for the news... The list goes on.

I too would rather know where they are coming from and a politician liable to make decisions based upon their faith is one I would rather not vote for.

[Wezil]

Speaking of Hustler... As I imagine you know, Larry Flynt also had a period of religious conversion while still publisher. That's how deep it goes.

[DinoDoc]

I too would rather know where they are coming from and a politician liable to make decisions based upon their faith is one I would rather not vote for.

Out of interest, how does one separate their moral conscience from their public decision making?

[Imran Siddiqui]

The fundie nature of the US is cultural and not institutional yet it bleeds into politics.

Of course. Politics tends to reflect the culture.

(and strangely) death penalty debates.

Why strangely? I'm sure you know why on the lefty side, religion pops up in death penalty debates (ie, My Lord & Savior was unjustly executed).

[kentonio]

If they don't talk about their religion in the public sphere that doesn't mean they don't use it in private decision making. I'd rather know about where they are coming from than not (some would say ignorance is bliss in political motivations).

Their motivation is 99% re-election. I don't see how everyone gains by hearing them lie about how deeply spiritual they are. It's like hearing a used car dealer talk about their incredible honesty.

Out of interest, how does one separate their moral conscience from their public decision making?

Yes, but what does that have to do with religion?

[Imran Siddiqui]

Most candidates are very genuine about their faith and, I'm glad President Obama makes this clear, undergirds their moral conscience and decision making. I cannot unlink my religious faith with my moral conscience - why do I think that others can?

[Jon Miller]

Yes, but what does that have to do with religion?

For most religious people (and some irreligious people), everything.

JM

[kentonio]

For most religious people (and some irreligious people), everything.

JM

Yes I know, it was just my turn to be snide.

[kentonio]

Most candidates are very genuine about their faith and, I'm glad President Obama makes this clear, undergirds their moral conscience and decision making. I cannot unlink my religious faith with my moral conscience - why do I think that others can?

There are many politicians in other countries that hold strong religious views yet manage to compose themselves gracefully and without trumpeting their faith to the heavens at every turn. For one thing the constant harking on about religious 'values' is an implicit attack on those who do not hold religious views, or even who do but whos religion is different. It's divisive in a multi-faith society.

[Imran Siddiqui]

There are many politicians in other countries that hold strong religious views yet manage to compose themselves gracefully and without trumpeting their faith to the heavens at every turn. For one thing the constant harking on about religious 'values' is an implicit attack on those who do not hold religious views, or even who do but whos religion is different. It's divisive in a multi-faith society.

So, as I alluded to Wezil, would you rather they hide their true motivations for their beliefs from you, the voting populace, because their motivations may be seen by some to be "divisive"?