Should religion be left out of politics?

[trepsis]

Some years ago when PM Blair was attending a press conference a journalist asked a question about Blair's religious beliefs. The question was brushed aside by his then aide Aleister Campbell who famously said "We don't do God" It was common knowledge at the time that Blair was a Christian and indeed, following his resignation he converted to Catholicism. Later, when recalling the event, he said Campbell was right and to have gone on about his religious beliefs would have made the public think he was a "nutter".
I think it impossible that such a thing could have happened in the US. The politician would have been only too keen to speak of his religious beliefs and the aide would no doubt have been fired.
Why is religious belief still of such importance in US politics?


Chris. Have you heard of policies?
tucker. Sure hope your answer is sarcastic, as in "God bless America"!!
stotlerd. There is absolutely no need to SHOUT!
Elaine. Listen to Bob Dylan's song about people with God on their side.
Chris. I' m essentialy a Liberal Democrat and a humanist. My policies are gided by a love of fellow man and a desire to achieve equality of opportunity.
chevysta. I strongly suggest you do some reading about the beliefs of the Founding Fathers.

[ckramerlive]

I'm not religious, but I don't think it should be left out, simply because it tells you much more about the person you may or may not be voting for.

The more you can find out about him or her, the better. It doesn't matter if you yourself do not believe in religion, I don't either, it would still give you a better back ground of the person and what they believe in and stand for.

It will also tell you whether or not they are using God to manuipulate the public with, it's very obvious when this attempt is being made.

[RoxieyPoison]

Maybe, 'Cos a large majority of the voters are religious, and they vote for candidates who are like them.
Or, maybe England just has a more of a balanced society than America does when it comes to religion. Most of us find it rude if someone brings 'god' into a conversation, because it's intrusive and unnecessary in day-to-day life in a multi-cultural (& Multi-religious?) society!


edit:

'Chevystar' and Co', It's 2008, your founding fathers are dead! and your society is more multi-cultural. Their are Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Scientologists, Roman Catholics, Atheists etcetc now! Bringing religion(god) into politics is like preaching, or speaking only to a certain group. We need religiously unbiased leaders who speak to and for every person, not just the religious!!!

What about the rest of us? Don't our beliefs count???
I'm an Atheist, and i thank hard-work for success.
I thank the People that worked night after night and stressed themselves out to make us happy... Because they deserve our appreciation(and/or judgement), Not an impartial god.

[kal]

Yes...and no. Yes in that a religious person should not use politics to achieve religious goals (e.g., enforcing God's laws on people regardless of their religious beliefs)...no in that religion is often a ingrained part of a person's character and they should not try to dissociate themselves from this part of themselves in their career...even (or especially) if that career is politics!

I don't think religion should be an overt political issue and I'm not comfortable when American politicians spend so much time expressing their religious beliefs when they're trying to get elected (ever noticed that most cut way down on that AFTER they get elected!). Unfortunately, it is in this country because of the significant portion of the population that mistakenly believes it is God's will that they enforce God's law in this country (and on the world)...thus, their agenda requires them to elect representatives that share their beliefs and are willing to use their political power to protect the country from "sin". This group essentially forces politicians to "play the religion card" while they are campaigning.

I have to say that I'd have been a little uncomfortable with Campbell's words (if Blair was my representative). I understand and agree with the point I think he was trying to make but I don't like the way he made it. "We don't do God" suggests that Blair did his job without regard to his religious values...and I just don't think that says much for his commitment to the job or to God (a man can't serve two masters). I do like the idea of a politician refusing to use God to justify his political decisions...and I really like the idea of a politician that doesn't support policies that limit the freedoms of people that don't share his or her religious values...but I think that IS "doing God" and it would have been nice if Campbell (or Blair) could have expressed that sentiment instead of suggesting that God has no place in the life of a politician.

[Robert Abuse]

Because they have not arrived at the point that the UK voters have reached after so many wars where god was on both sides and where no one was the winner except the rich bloke.
Religion is not to be trusted, certainly no more than a politician and Alastair Campbell was right, a religious politician would be thought of as a nutter, unable to deal with reality and everyday life.
Remember that the American President, old what`s his name, the mad one, anyway, he openly admitted to the entire world that `God told me to invade Eye-Rack` and became the laughing stock of the developed world !
Us British at least like to be seen as credible, even when we aren`t !

[Shadus]

Because politicians (mostly GOP in recent years) in the US have found that by pandering to the religious reich (fundamentalists/evangelicals) and being a rubber stamper for their policies they can get a lot of free votes regardless of what other policies they espouse.

[vicki.2412]

As an atheist, definitely, politics and religion should remain separate. The US was founded as a secular country where people could escape persecution founded in their differing religious views. However as right wing christianity has become increasingly established in the US its has become more prominent in politics as well.
Of course the fact that people have certain religious views should be considered in decision making but it should in no way sway that decision and definitely never never never should the dominant religion be able to shape any political decision into its own advantage - such as could potentially happen with gay rights and abortion should politics become more religious.
Bush actually said. . .
"No, I don't know that Atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."
Scary ass idea . . . why I shouldn't be considered a viable, politically active, patriotic citizen is beyond me . . .????

[victimless criminal]

Yes! politics and religion don't mix well...

[Artillery Squirrel]

in these past 200 some-odd years, the colonies have gone completely batshit crazy. its like a sanatorium where the patients are walking free and running things.

[onamission5]

Dear sweet FSM, yes! Religion is not politics, and politics are not religion. The main problem our government in the US has is that one religious branch is trying to legislate their dogma to everyone else who may or may not be of a similiar faith. Religion is an intimate personal choice on how to live one's own life. Government decides what rules everyone is required to follow. Would anyone here like to be required to follow the rules of a religion they don't belong to? That is what the fundie right is trying to enact at this very moment,only because it's their religion they claim not to see anything wrong with it. Believe me, if it was pagans trying to legislate their religion into the constitution (not that that would ever happen), the fundies would be all up in arms about the separation of church and state!