Seperation of Church and State. Freedom of Religion.

[tekisui]

Judge a candidate by their actions. Consider your support based on what they have done with their political career and what platform they stand on, now.

Where someone goes to practice their religion has no business in the political arena. A person can simultaneously worship in way you disagree with, and still promote political principles on which you agree.

I have disagreed with the religions and the pastors of every candidate I have ever cast a vote for. Going after one's place of worship is not a winning strategy, as the attendee and the pastor are separate individuals.

Pastor Wright playing out a news cycle raises the hair of many, but should put some other arguments to rest. Obama is not a Muslim, and he should be seen as "black enough". The video's of Wright will have to be dealt with swiftly for the faint-of-heart Middle America, who have a hard time understanding that you can go to church and leave you religious beliefs at the door to your government office. Obama and his campaign have known since they started that this would come up, at some point. They are prepared, and have made comments previously.

If the Obama campaign is skilled enough to win the Nomination and go on to be President, they will know how to put this to bed.

[Saturday]

1. If the Obama campaign were "skilled enough" they wouldn't have

put Wright on the Steering Committee. His inexperience is showing.

[DemVet]

2. Agreed.

No way is this guy on any of Obama's committees or advising groups if they had known this.

[tekisui]

3. He isn't on any committees, hasn't been for some time.

But, Obama does need to get out there and head this off.

[MonkeyFunk]

4. Sorry

the Establishment Clause has no bearing on whether people can, or should, judge a candidate's religious beliefs and affiliations.

[tekisui]

5. You're absolutely right.

Everyone is free to support, for any reason at all. Many people vote based on religious beliefs. Catholics voted for Kennedy in large numbers. Chimpy got a lot of evangelicals. It isn't what I base my vote on.

[MonkeyFunk]

7. You wouldn't reject a candidate

whose religious beliefs prevent him from believing in evolution, or civil rights for all people?

[tekisui]

9. I certainly would.

You make a good point. But, there is a difference between a candidate affirming such beliefs, and a pastor saying it.

I think it is important for Obama to distance himself from the inflammatory statements made.

What Obama supporters do you think this could be a deal-breaker for?

[Exilednight]

10. IF the candidate believed in evolution, it would depend on......

if they pushed that belief on the public. If the candidate truly believes in the separation of church and state, then they will not push their belief on public. Civil rights for all people is not a religious issue, it's one of ethics.

[MonkeyFunk]

12. well

I'm just saying that I've never voted FOR someone because of their religious beliefs, but I've got no problem voting AGAINST them because of them.

[LWolf]

6. If religion has no business in the political arena, then

there should be no faith-based campaigning. No campaigning in churches, from pulpits, and no religious leaders publicly campaigning for or supporting any candidate from their position as spiritual leader.

I don't have to share a faith with a candidate, or particularly like that faith, to vote and support him or her.

I don't want any elected official's faith in office, either. When I see a candidate who allows his church, or his faith, to get to cozy with his politics, he has lost any chance of my support. I want a separation that is deep and wide, not a thin veil that provides the illusion of separation.

[tekisui]

8. I agree 100%.

I don't like hearing any candidates mentioning any of their beliefs while campaigning.

I don't even like hear them say "god bless America" all the time.

[noel711]

11. This bogus.....

Remember all the crazy ass things those evangels would
say in their support of Geo.W.???

They nearly called him the second coming,
and raved about the bizarre rapture,
and the rebuilding of the temple in Israel.

This is bogus...