Knowing what candidates believe

The sixth article of the Constitution affirms that “no religious test

shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public

trust under the United States.”

The founders spoke unequivocally: religion is the individual’s own

business. I do not judge candidates for political office on the basis

of their religion, or lack thereof, and am further persuaded by the

words of John F. Kennedy: “I believe in an America that is officially

neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jewish ... I believe in an America

where religious intolerance will someday end ... and all will refrain

from those attitudes of disdain and division, which have so often

marred their works in the past, and promote instead the American

ideal of brotherhood.”

It is comforting to many Americans to see the president emerging

from church on Sunday morning, having attended at least pro forma if

not with great fervor. Washington wrote that he did not believe the

nation would be able to retain its character and integrity without

religion. It is comforting to many to hear a president testify to the

impact his religious faith has exerted on his life. I, myself, would

prefer a president who took religious belief seriously and I doubt

whether an atheist would “have a prayer” of being elected to the

highest office.

Our president, reflecting our national ethos, ought to acknowledge

the religious foundation of our country, our reliance on God and the

relevance of God to our national survival and welfare. That a

president, in my personal estimation, “ought” to be a person of

religious belief, does not mean he “must” be.

Ultimately, government is not to be the source of moral, religious

instruction. If the president chose to take the oath of office

without placing his hand on the Bible, I would not think that person

any less qualified to lead our democracy and represent a government

that is secular in its essence. The president is the leader and

servant of “We, the People,” and not the emissary of God in the Oval

Office. His great obligation and only authority is to “preserve,

protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Whether

the Almighty accedes to his request “So help me God,” the president

is the champion of the Constitution and not the upholder of

Scripture.

RABBI MARK MILLER

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach

Politics and religion are kissin’ cousins. The Greek from which we

get “politics” means “the total complex of relations between human

beings in society.” People of faith are concerned with this

“complex.”

There are clear connections between the science concerned with

winning the right to govern and then governing effectively and

focusing on God and God’s will for humankind and life. The art of

government and exercise of faith kiss each other on issues ranging

from peace and war to abortion and the sanctity of marriage. For

example, the Episcopal Church to which I belong has often been called

“the Republican Party at prayer.”

Candidates for the presidency understand that their faith is one

criterion the electorate takes seriously; they usually do very well

making this clear. Occasionally they put their foot in their mouths,

like the candidate who recently expressed eagerness to campaign in

the Bible Belt because of his love for, and understanding of, the

Bible. When asked to name his favorite book in the New Testament, he

responded “Job!”

Voters should consider everything about the candidates for whom

they vote, including faith and beliefs. When one says, “I believe

that God has planted in every human heart the desire to live in

freedom,” as President Bush did in his State of the Union address

last Tuesday, his constituency should know who he understands to be

“God” and what he means by “freedom.”

Is “God” the all-wise, all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing God

Christians experience? Is “freedom” the perfect freedom found in the

service of the One who is Love, the Prince of Peace? Is it the

freedom to vote, which we are all responsible to do? A good Christian

guideline is “Vote your hopes, not your fears.”

Of course, candidates must act in accordance with what they say

they believe, as should we all; Jesus has very strong words for

hypocrites (see Matthew 23 for examples). Presidents, and others

given authority in our country, take an oath of allegiance to our

Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. I am confident that

anyone violating Article I, “ ... make no law respecting an

establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,”

would be rejected by all voters, especially Christians.

THE VERY REV. CANON

PETER D. HAYNES

St. Michael & All Angels

Episcopal Church

Corona del Mar

If a president is strongly religious, it can affect the public a

great deal, especially if he or she sees their role as being a

spiritual leader to the country. In issues such as the death penalty,

abortion, war and social programs, a president who is inclined to

promote personal religious views can impact, and even overturn,

public opinion. This is why it is important for voters to be aware of

candidates’ religious backgrounds and the vigor with which they

espouse their faith.

I do weigh heavily a candidate’s religious understanding and

commitment when voting. Especially important to me to see in a

political leader is a genuine respect for others’ religions and

practices. This precludes proselytizing. Being a pacifist, I am also

very concerned with a candidate’s stance on war. I believe most

political issues are also religious issues. How does the national and

international community live together most happily and peacefully in

accord with universal precepts?

THE REV. CAROL AGUILAR

Zen Center of Orange County

Costa Mesa