John Edwards: working-class values and a closely held faith

[babylonsister]

John Edwards: working-class values and a closely held faith

While Christian beliefs help gird his antipoverty campaign, he believes that politicians who identify closely with one religion cannot be inclusive.
By Ariel Sabar | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

from the September 20, 2007 edition

Page 1 of 3

Reporter Ariel Sabar says Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards generally considers faith to be a private matter – not for the campaign trail.



Manchester, N.H. - A major address on poverty would seem an ideal place for a Democratic presidential hopeful to toss in a mention of religious faith, particularly if he was on a ticket that narrowly lost the 2004 election to so-called "values voters."

But in long speeches on his signature issue this spring and summer, John Edwards said nothing about the Christian beliefs he says help underpin his antipoverty campaign.

He instead chose the more universal language of ethics and public policy. Poverty is as much "the great moral issue of our time," he said, as a practical threat to the economy and national security.

For Mr. Edwards, a Southern Baptist-turned-United Methodist, faith is deeply felt but intensely private, a refuge after family tragedy and a daily source of wisdom, but not a platform for politics.

"It's a very dangerous business – that intersection" of religion and politics, Edwards said in an interview with the Monitor. "I don't like to talk about my faith openly. I do in answer to questions, but I don't usually bring it up myself."

His reticence owes as much to a Baptist upbringing that cast faith as a private relationship with God as the belief that a politician too closely identified with one religion cannot be inclusive in a diverse America.

more...

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0920/p01s01-uspo.html

[jsamuel]

1. It's true, he has made a very conscious effort to keep things in a moral realm rather

than a religious one.

[waiting for hope]

2. I would prefer my candidate

to keep his religious views as a private matter - this says it all:

"...as the belief that a politician too closely identified with one religion cannot be inclusive in a diverse America."

That he believes in the Separation of Church and State tells me that he supports the Constitution, something this country is sorely missing.

[PurityOfEssence]

3. One of the many reasons I like him

He's very serious about the separation of church and state, and often uses the term itself in speeches to underline the point.

[zazzle]

4. Me too!

[Triana]

5. He's got his priorities in order...and he knows

where faith belongs in relation to policy.