We all remember the controversy over statements made by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s former pastor. Now Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is under scrutiny for her own pastor’s views and actions. The role of religion in government has been a matter of debate since before the birth of our republic, but less attention has been paid to the role of religion in campaign politics. Should the religious views of a candidate or a candidate’s pastor be taken into consideration and, moreover, should those views disqualify a candidate from serving in public office?
If we are serious about adhering to our constitution, the answer to that question should be a resounding no. Article VI of the Constitution states that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” The clear intent of the Constitution is to prevent the government from requiring an office holder to adhere to a particular religion, but the spirit behind this article has a deeper meaning for all of us. The constitution urges us to examine candidates based on whether or not they can serve our country well, not based on their religious views. We are here to elect a commander in chief, not a pastor in chief.
Of course there are areas in which religion and public policy intersect, and these areas deserve critical examination. Regardless of a candidate’s religion, Americans have a right to ask questions about their views on issues that are largely shaped by religious discourse. In this campaign we have seen something altogether different. We have seen a candidate criticized because his pastor believes that racism both in the past and present is sinful and because he has stated his beliefs in passionate and sometimes radical ways. We have seen another candidate criticized because her pastor believes in the existence of witchcraft. Whether we disagree with these views is beside the point. We should be asking ourselves why the views of candidates’ pastors on non-governmental issues should matter at all.
I believe that the views of these two pastors are beyond the pale. I would never sit in a pew and quietly listen to either of them spew their venomous rhetoric. It is truly a good thing that neither of them is running for president — and that is precisely what we need to remember. Barack Obama and Sarah Palin are running for president and vice president, respectively, on a range of issues, none of which have to do with black liberation theology or witchcraft. There is nothing to stop American voters from taking the views of candidates’ pastors under consideration, but a voter should ask himself this question before he does that: Do I agree with everything my pastor has ever said from the pulpit and would I want someone to judge me based on what he or she has said? The possibility that we might be judged on our pastors’ views would make many of us uncomfortable, and it is precisely that discomfort that should drive voters to reject religious tests in campaign politics.
Nate Nelson is a junior studying political science. E-mail him at nn318806@ohiou.edu.
Reader Comments
Nate,
Wow, are you misleading the readers or what?
From the AP:
"The video shows Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate, standing before Bishop Thomas Muthee in the pulpit of the Wasilla Assembly of God church, holding her hands open as he asked Jesus Christ to keep her safe from "every form of witchcraft."
---
This is no where near a controversy and is more molehill than mountain. It is certainly another example of your lunatic fringe colleagues frothing at the mouth for anything they can turn negative.
Then you try to equivocate this minister with Rev. Wright. This is laughable. Rev. Wright IS A RACIST! He DOES HATE AMERICA! He is filled with hate and discontent and spews it every Sunday to people looking for someone to lead them. The suggestion that somehow these two ministers are similar is recklessly irresponsible and shows your inability to form coherent thoughts.
Rev. Wright married BO and his wife, he baptized his children, BO sat in his audience for 20 years, He was BO's spiritual leader and close friend. This Kenyan minister in the YouTube video blessed Palin and asked that she be protected from witchcraft.
Please post corrections to your post. It is horribly skewed.
Nate,
Also, I agree with you about religious tests having no place in politics. You are saying the obvious.
However, the issue you bring up are close associations with people of questionable character. Obama has several that the press has never truly vetted: Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers, Tony Rezko, and all his Fannie Mae Freddie Mac friends.
Meanwhile you want to focus on a single blessing from a Kenyan minister, or "troopergate" where a man who tasered his son is being defended by your ilk. Completely disgusting.
McCain has plenty of Freddie Mac friends dude (http://www.nypost.com/seven/09242008/news/nationalnews/source__mccain_aides_firm_paid_by_freddi_130553.htm), and that bill Ayers connection is the biggest stretch I've ever heard. The two worked in the same place for a couple years and Ayers planned an community event with Obama in Chigaco. Are you serious?
I'm not big on either guy, but seriously, all the bullshit McCain throws out and tries to pass off as fact is enough to make me vote Obama.
And yeah, Reverend Wright may be a nut who hates America, but at least he's not a lunatic trying to protect someone from "witchcraft." Wright is mistaken in his views and misinformed, Palin's minister is just bonkers. You know full well if it were the other way around and Obama's minister were trying to protect him from "witchcraft" that McCain would have a field day.
And as for "troopergate," that claim is unsubstantiated and she abused her power in firing the guy, then had her colleagues to get a judge to block her and the office from being investigated.
You want to blow up little things about Obama, but freak out when anything, most of this substantial as it's the direct actions of a candidate and not those around them, gets said about McCain.
Get real dude.
If Rev. Wright had prayed for protection for Obama from evil, no one would be complaining. but instead Wright hates America and wants to whip up the flames of racism. And for that he should be questioned... as should the man who sat in the pew for 20 years listening to him, quoted Wright in his memoirs, and called him a 'spiritual mentor.'
Wright is just one of many personal friends that Obama has had over the years that should be properly vetted. Ayers, ties to Acorn (who he tried to get millions in funding to in the bailout bill, and who is being charged for fraud in 7 states for the upcoming election, INCLUDING Ohio) Rezco, etc.
Should Obama be looked at for one strange friend? No, but the multiple bad choices in friends he has maintained relationships with show more about his (lack of) character than his pretty words do.
Yet, strangely, the President takes an oath with one hand on the bible (even though it's not law), and at the end of every speech every single candidate repeats the same "God bless America" line. One of the biggest tests for office is religious, Nate; you have to BE religious to even be considered. Think an atheist would have a snowball's chance in hell of even being considered for office?
@NG,
Wow, dude, you really got me. McCain has an aide that once worked for a firm that was employed by Fannie. Wow, who could mistake such an obvious connection...!?
You neglect that Obama has received more money from Fannie/Freddie than any other candidate in his time in the Senate. You also neglect that two former heads of Fannie are advisors to Obama. Putting aside having those brainchildren as advisors, you have got to be nuts to believe that Fannie and Freddie, fueled by chants of "racism" didn't help to stir up our current mess by lending to people who could not pay them back.
You also neglect McCains calls for more rigorous oversight of these institutions in 2005 that was halted by democrats, like Obama.
The connection to Ayers is the biggest stretch you have ever heard?
Obama launched his political career in Bill Ayers's house. Need I remind you Ayers is a terrorist who bombed places like the Capitol building and in 2001 he stated openly that he wished he would have done more. All other connections aside, would you launch your political career in the house of a domestic terrorist who wishes he could have done more? Extremely questionable judgement...
Your Rev Wright equivocations are ridiculous. Palin had one blessing from a minister who wished to protect her against witchcraft. Obama sat in a pew for 20 years and listened to hate. "Get real dude!"
As for "troopergate" your claim that the gentleman who was fired has an unsubstantiated claim against him for tasering his son is flat wrong, it is fact. The thing that is unsubstantiated is whether or not he was caught drinking beer in his police car. Either way, he should be fired. He is an "at-will" employee. He can be fired for various reasons. The entire troopergate is brought about by democrats seeking anything negative about Palin to blow up.
Good luck with your ridiculous arguments, but Americans a bit smarter than the average bear, dude.
Nathan's column reminds me of the theory of flak barrages in WWII... throw as much up as possible and hope something sticks. Too bad most of his commentary has no real foundation if you take the time to think about it. Comeon Libs, you are the 'intelligent ones', remember? I thought that only the Repubs were the sheep.
You really want something to chew on? How about Obama as a socialist? Before you hit autoreply to scream about this statement, Evidence has surfaced that he was in fact a member of the socialist New Party.
http://www.newmediajournal.us/daily_columns/10092008.htm
So we have a socialist whos friends hate america, are racist, scam artists, terrorists, and embezzlers/thieves. Sure, they have no influence on him.......
Submit a comment to The Post