Archive for the ‘Elections’ Category

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A Campaign “Calling” in Nevada?

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Senate candidate Sharron Angle (who is challenging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Nevada) recently gave an interview to David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network in which she described her campaign for public office as a “calling.” She also made similar comments to Ralph Reed of the Faith and Freedom Coalition saying that she believes “that God has been in this from the beginning, and because of that, when He has a plan and a purpose for your life and you fit into that, what He calls you to He’s always equipped you for.”

Today Interfaith Alliance issued a statement in response Angle’s comments, calling on all politicians to stop using their religion to appeal to voters, a practice that weakens both religion and politics. Of course, candidates for public office are free to talk about how their faith informs their thinking. But candidates should always remember that they represent people of diverse beliefs, and the policies they create need to be based on fidelity, not to their religious scriptures, but to the Constitution.

See below for the full text of Interfaith Alliance’s statement:

Sharron Angle’s recent comments on her race against Sen. Harry Reid being ‘a calling,’ and that she considers herself a ‘faith-based politician’ should be deeply troubling to anyone who cherishes religious freedom. If elected to represent the people of Nevada in the United States Senate, Ms. Angle will do so as a representative of the people of her state, not of her church. My guess is that God will be just fine without playing a role in either candidate’s campaign.

Candidates for public office are free to talk about how their faith informs their thinking, but should not imply that policy position will be based on scripture rather than the Constitution. It has been my experience that when candidates intentionally insert faith into politics, the purpose is rarely to protect religion; rather it is done to enhance a political position.

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Obama the next ‘Scout-In-Chief?’

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

Seeing as you found your way to the internet, I’m sure you know that Barack Obama will become President of the United States next Tuesday. But his electoral victory also puts him on track to lead another massive national organization: The Boy Scouts of America. Every president since William Taft has accepted the BSA’s honorary invitation, but there are growing questions about whether Obama should and/or will do so.

Among those voicing concerns are a group of non-theistic organizations who sent a letter to Obama imploring him to reject the title. They accuse the BSA of actively purging atheist and agnostic members and employees from the organization, and object to article IX, § 1, cl. 1 of the BSA bylaws, which states that “no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God.”

The BSA is indeed a private organization and has the backing of the Supreme Court to enact its discriminatory policies. That being said, Obama has the right (perhaps even the responsibility) to publicly frown upon an organization that not only bars boys on the basis of their beliefs about God, but also teaches those boys who do make the theological cut that there is something fundamentally ‘Un-American’ about atheists and agnostics.

I can understand Obama’s hesitancy to spend his political capital on a symbolic gesture when so many policy opportunities in the religious liberty arena need attention, but this is a chance to send a message: the religious beliefs of all Americans will be valued and respected in the new administration.  At the very least, if Mr. Obama does accept, he should use his honorary bully pulpit to try and bring “change we can believe in” to the Boy Scouts of America.

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A Celebration of the Vitality of Democracy

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Last night a vigorously-contested election came to a conclusion with an inspiring declaration of vision and mission from President-elect Barack Obama and a moving statement of exemplary civility from Senator John McCain. Whether your candidate won or lost, every person who cast a vote in this election has reason to be thankful, proud and hopeful.

Our founding documents and the United States Constitution itself won a victory last night as a man who a few short decades ago would have been forced to sit at the back of the bus is now at the head of our government. There are real challenges ahead – some of which became readily apparent in yesterday’s election. But today is a day to pause for a moment and reflect on the historic nature of this election. A day to remember that the American Dream reflects realistic potential.

The diversity of people who reached a consensus about our next president points to the possibility of a more mutually respectful, unified country. The record shattering number of voters who participated in this election is a ringing endorsement of democracy and a stirring promise of greater and more broad-based civic participation. I believe that Interfaith Alliance is a vehicle through which that active participation can continue.

I am grateful that Sen. Obama coupled his soaring vision with down-to-earth realism.  He knows that the amount of work to be done in our government requires more than a popular president. As the President-elect now turns his attention to the details of organizing and staffing his administration, we would do well to turn our attention to the contributions that we can make to the nation.

Today at Interfaith Alliance, we celebrate the vitality of our democracy and rejoice in the possibility of finally realizing long-awaited action on issues that beat in the hearts of most Americans. Our concerns about the role of religion in the life of the nation, individual rights and freedoms, care for the weakest and poorest among us and an international reputation characterized by inclusion, civility, liberty and justice still command our attention. But, we are also devoting ourselves to careful thought about the most important contributions that we can make to “the change” for which the majority of the electorate voted. Within the next few days I will write to you about the details of those priorities and how we can work together to achieve them.

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Election 2008: 25 miles down, 1.2 to go

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

As the International Herald Tribune’s Jeff Zeleny put it this morning, if this election were a marathon, we’d be at mile 25 now. Having run the 33rd annual Marine Corps Marathon last Sunday, I have to agree with him.

It’s at mile 25 where exhaustion falls by the wayside and every runners’ eyes are focused dead ahead, on a finish line they can’t quite see but know is coming fast. By mile 25, there are no more questions about whether or not you’ll finish; the questions now are how you’ll finish, how you’ll feel afterward and how you’ll handle the backlash.

A marathon is a pretty good metaphor for a presidential election, although in a marathon the distance between spectator and competitor is much less than in an election, and the sense of community among athletes is much stronger than that among competing politicians. But that sense of community – whether from athletes, spectators, candidates or voters – defines both the marathon and the election, and has a lot to do with how everyone feels at the end.

As far as the marathon goes, I was inspired and energized by the incredible sense of community that dominated the race course – both from my fellow runners and from the crowds of spectators. Runners cheered for each other and cracked jokes in passing. Marines kept us moving with drill sergeant-esque commands to suck it up and pick up the pace. And the spectators cheered for anyone with a name printed on their shirt, held out snacks, waved signs, shouted, clapped and rang cowbells throughout the entire course, bursting with enthusiasm whether they had been watching for 15 minutes or four hours.

Everyone out there, watching or running, was part of the same community. And the positive energy generated by the faith of that community in the athletes they were supporting was a powerful thing. I find myself thinking about it now, marveling at the force of all that hope and determination, and wondering what it could do on a national level.

The presidential candidates are rounding the last corner of mile 24 now and by tonight, making their last speeches, they’ll have passed the 25-mile mark and be pounding down the home stretch, teeth gritted in determination until the moment it becomes clear who will be the victor.

Since I’ve already finished my marathon, I’ve had more of a chance to look ahead than the candidates have lately, and I have a challenge for our next president, whether he turns out to be Barack Obama or John McCain:

Hold onto the sense of community that’s grown among your supporters, among the citizens of this country, during the campaign. It’s been a long one and we’re all tired of it, but we’re united in our desire to see a better, brighter future for America. Take that unity and hold it up for the country to see, make it clear that regardless of who any one person voted for, the next steps in American history are up to all of us. Foster that sense of community among the diverse voices that comprise the citizenship of our country – if you do, I believe that you’ll be able to accomplish more than any president in the last twenty years has dreamed possible.

Use the collective energy of that community to fix what’s broken: give children a positive public school experience, leaving squabbles over prayer and creationism out of the classroom and keeping personal faith at home for the betterment of their education. Gather that community around minority groups – the LGBT community, Muslim-Americans, Sikhs – who are too often the innocent victims of attackers who don’t understand them and only recognize them as different and therefore dangerous. Pit the enormity of that positive vibe against the negativity of the Religious Right’s extremist positions, and let’s see if we can’t overwhelm them in such a way that makes their self-absorbed, blind hatred obsolete.

I believe the American people have the power to accomplish all that and more and I challenge you, Mr. President, to harness it. The marathon’s almost over, but the real test of strength has yet to begin. I hope you have the guts to meet it head-on, and win.

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Holy political pandering, Batman!

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

It’s the year 2012 and America has suffered four separate terrorist attacks since 2009. Pornography is flaunted in stores across the country, countless Christian businesses are forced into bankruptcy and Iran has launched a nuclear bomb that exploded in the heart of Tel Aviv. Why? All because Americans shunned the Lord on Election Day and voted for Barack Obama.

Don’t believe me? Just ask James Dobson. He recently released this letter written from the viewpoint of a hypothetical Christian in 2012 lamenting America’s demise. It is 16 pages of unadulterated fear-mongering meant solely to scare people into voting for John McCain. Dobson has yet again managed to drive the level of our political discourse to a depressingly low level.

Beyond being a blatant insult to voters, the letter hijacks religion and drags it along for Dobson’s ride through the mud. He makes nothing more than a token reference to the millions of evangelical Christians voting for Obama and leaves little doubt that any vote for the Democratic candidate is an affront to God.

(And how about not judging the next President of the United States before we even know who he is?)

I like to think I paid at least a decent amount of attention in history class, but maybe I missed the section on America’s transition from democracy to theocracy. Can someone get me up to speed?

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Posted in Elections, First Amendment | 4 Comments »

New ads from the Matthew 25 Network

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

The Matthew 25 Network has started running a series of radio ads supporting Barack Obama. The ads, which address Obama’s faith in Jesus Christ and his positions on how to reduce abortion rates, are running on Christian radio stations in Ohio, Michigan, Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, Virginia, and North Carolina.

The Matthew 25 network is a group Interfaith Alliance has had some concern about since it was founded earlier this year. Their goal seems to be to apply the tactics of the religious right to electing candidates on the left. I don’t disagree with the premise that democrats need to fight the perception that they are godless. However, no candidate – or supporter – should suggest that you should vote for them or against the other candidate because of their faith.

These ads, despite being put out by an independent organization and containing a disclaimer that Matthew 25 is solely responsible for their content, are just the latest example of the 2008 election turning into the race for pastor-in-chief instead of commander-in-chief.

Both candidates have failed to challenge the popular belief that to be a good president, you have to be Christian. the constitution states that their shall be no religious test for public office, but the candidates and their supporters seem all to willing to take it anyway.

watch the ads online here.

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A Good Month for Religious Pluralism, but Not Great

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

The following is cross-posted at BeliefNet’s Progressive Revival.

October has been a good month for religious pluralism in America. Not great, but good. This past Sunday on Meet the Press former Secretary of State Collin Powell condemned the religious bigotry that has emerged during the campaign, saying:

“I’m also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is permitted to be said such things as, ‘Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim.’ Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he’s a Christian.  He’s always been a Christian.  But the really right answer is, what if he is?  Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer’s no, that’s not America.”

Congratulations to Secretary Powell for his willingness to challenge those on the right who use the Muslim community as their punching bag, and to those on the left who seem less than enthusiastic about speaking in their defense.

Thankfully, Secretary Powell is not alone. His comments echo a commentary CNN anchor Campbell Brown delivered on her program earlier this month entitled “So what if Obama were a Muslim or an Arab?” In it she asks:

“When did that become a disqualifier for higher office in our country? When did Arab and Muslim become dirty words? The equivalent of dishonorable or radical?”

Alongside these great statements by Powell and Campbell is the continued distribution of 28 million copies of the movie Obsession. This film, despite what its makers tell us, is a pervasive demonization of Islam.

I have been happy to see a broad range of people from across the religious and political spectrum speak out against both Obsession, and the false rumors about Senator Obama’s religious background. But, I remain concerned about the staggering number of people who are choosing to stay silent. Now is the time for all fair-minded, freedom-loving people to condemn the poisonous onslaught of religious prejudice.

Religious freedom is a founding principle of this nation. Basic to American identity as envisioned by our founders is every citizen modeling not merely tolerance, but respect and understanding. Right now it is particularly crucial that political leaders – on both sides of the isle – not only pay lip service to religious freedom, but embody it.

October has been a good month for religious pluralism in America. Not great, but good. What would make it better would be if a presidential candidate, asked about being a Muslim, were to respond by saying, “I am not a Muslim, but so many patriotic Americans are.” What would make it exemplary would be if a presidential candidate whose allies seek to use religion as a political weapon were to put a stop to such divisive tactics. What would make it terrific – and most patriotic –would be if faith were not a factor in presidential politics. Period.

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McCain Rally Tainted by Politicized Prayer

Thursday, October 16th, 2008

The cover of The Economist a few months back featured Barack Obama and John McCain, deeming their candidacies, “America at its Best.” If only that were so in terms of religion and politics. Here’s the latest example of inappropriate campaigning.

According to the Los Angeles Times, an October 11th McCain rally began with Rev. Arnold Conrad’s invocation, which quickly devolved into an appeal for God to help McCain defeat Obama. The reverend simultaneously made McCain the candidate of God and showed a fundamental misunderstanding of world religions by warning that millions of people are praying to “Hindu, Buddha, Allah” that McCain loses. On the off chance that the reverend is reading this, allow me to help out: Buddhists do not consider Buddha to be a god and there is no deity in Hinduism named “Hindu.”

Rev. Conrad even managed to suggest that God’s reputation was at stake, to be determined by the election’s outcome.

This is a prime example of religion being hijacked for an inappropriate political purpose. I’m getting really tired of people trying to tell me which candidate, military campaign or piece of legislation has God’s backing. I’m tempted to send Rev. Conrad a copy of Huston Smith’s The World’s Religions, for the sake of his congregants and our national discourse.

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Cutting through the bull on Obama’s “Muslim” beliefs

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

I generally turn CNN on in the evenings and then ignore it, but my ears perked up when I heard Campbell Brown, in the “Cutting Through the Bull” segment of “Campbell Brown: Election Center” last night, say, “So what if Obama was Arab or Muslim? So what if John McCain was Arab or Muslim? Would it matter?”

Like anyone who’s read Article VI of the Constitution, my answer was a resounding “No!” Apparently Brown is also up on her Constitution knowledge, because she seemed as frustrated as I am by the implicit religious test for public office being created by the reaction to this whisper campaign about Obama’s “secret Muslim identity.” And she made some spectacular points – take a look:

Brown is right: Obama is not Muslim – although millions of patriotic Americans are – but it shouldn’t matter. What should matter are his positions on the issues at stake, and that he’s an American. Everything else is just intolerance at best, and hatred-driven prejudice at worst.

Campbell Brown may be my newest hero.

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New Video – Pulpit Politics: The Race for Pastor-in-Chief

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

Remember the endorsement courtship and nasty split between pastors and politicians during the primaries?  Now, the Religious Right’s Alliance Defense Fund is organizing more pastors to endorse more politicians from the pulpit this Sunday!

Interfaith Alliance’s new video – Pulpit Politics: The Race for Pastor-in-Chief – is a fresh reminder of what happened in the primaries, and previews what’s to come if clergy are further encouraged to compromise their integrity for partisan politics.

After you watch the video, forward it to the leader of your congregation, and ask your clergy to sign our clergy pledge!

In fact, a story from today’s Los Angeles Times features our clergy pledge as the counterweight to Alliance Defense Fund’s effort towards “setting the stage for a collision of religion and politics.”

America’s pulpits are for prayer, not partisan politics. Let’s keep our pulpits free from the political machinery we’ve already seen devastate clergy and sidetrack the campaigns in this election.

After you see the new video, you can watch our video on the Top Ten Moments in the Race for Pastor-in-Chief for ten more reasons religion and partisan politics are better left kept a long-distance relationship.

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