Quote:
Originally posted by Flames Draft Watcher@Apr 11 2005, 09:05 AM
Well touchy subject for sure. But anybody who is deeply religious has an obligation to live by their faith. This means that a "separation" of church and state is not possible as their religious policies SHOULD be dictating how they operate in government. For them to not let their religious beliefs affect their government policy would be turning their back on their religious beliefs. If they don't live by their faith then they are a phony.
So no, I personally would not vote for religious candidates. If they don't practise what they preach then they are phonies and I wouldn't want them in gov't anyway. If they do practise what they preach then they are obligated to let their beliefs dictate policy.
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That in my opinion is a pile of crap, and I don't consider myself a religious person. I have spritual beliefs, but have never been a proponent of organised religion.
A deeply relgious person can successfully make the separation of church and state, and can make the distinction between personal values and national policy. A deeply religious person strives to live their own personal lives as they see fit. How they live their personal lives is for them to reconcile with their belief system. It is not for them to dictate how others live their lives. Members of government take an oath to represent the people, not force religious values upon the people, and they usually make this oath by swearing to their god. In other words, it would be sacrilege for a deeply religious person to break an oath before god and force his/her values upon the people.
As far as the practise what you preach comments go: you seem to have a misconception that all deeply religious people are preachers, when in fact most deeply religious people are happy to live their lives as they see fit, and let others do the same. I admit there are pesky ones, but I consider them the exception, not the rule.
I will not call religious members of government who try to do their job democratically instead of religiously phonies or hypocrites for two reasons:
1) I have a great amount of respect for a person who realizes it is not their right to force their values upon the people, but instead represent the people, they do their JOB. I admire the person who can elevate their thinking enough to make the distinction.
2) I have no right to judge a person on how well they are following their religious beliefs. That is between that person and their maker. How can a person cry for separation of church and state, and then have the right to grade an MP on how well they stick to church doctrine? It's not a fair way to judge an MP.
Trust is the issue here.