The recently completed Iowa caucuses have long marked the beginning of the presidential race. Obama has announced his candidacy for the Democrats, and a group of Republicans have begun battling it out in primary debates.
As the presidential race heats up, this editorial board wants more people, including the media, to question the effect of religion in political decision-making.
The focuses of the GOP debates have mainly been foreign policy and the economy, which are important issues but not the only ones. This editorial board is struck by the lack of attention paid to social issues, such as gay marriage, reproductive rights and the teaching of “intelligent design,” while some members of the GOP have clearly stated that their religious beliefs will affect decision-making on laws.
This editorial board does not dismiss religion as a value that is of great importance in a huge number of people’s lives. However, we do dismiss the idea that qualifying for the Republican nomination seems to require intolerance of non-religious or those beliefs that are not held in Christian beliefs.
In Rick Perry’s “Strong” ad he says, “I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a Christian, but you don’t have to be in the pew every Sunday to know there is something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military, but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas.”
On June 6, 2011 Rick Santorum formally announced his candidacy for presidency. In his speech he said, “America has long been at battle with secular ideologies…with few exceptions our leaders were clear in defining and judging them for the evils they represented.”
Newt Gingrich said during an Oct. 18 Republican debate, “How can you have no judgment if you have no faith? How can I trust you with power if you don’t pray? The notion that you are endowed by your Creator sets a certain boundary on what we mean by America.”
The First Amendment clearly guarantees freedom of religion, “prohibiting any law respecting the establishment of religion.” It includes not only the freedom to worship who, how and where you want, but also to not be forced under law to conform to values born of the Bible.
We respect the religious values of any candidate and their freedom to believe, but some candidates choose to make their religious values a national belief.
We do not claim that every candidate has a devoutly religious agenda. But we ask registered Republican voters to recognize the impact of religion on social views. We ask them to independently research their candidates to understand how those beliefs could possibly affect the interpretation of laws for those who disagree with them.
The United States has long prided itself on being a melting pot for people of all races, beliefs and faiths. We want Republican voters to question the validity of candidates who dismiss non-religious and non-Biblical values.
The First Amendment guarantees the right to believe in whatever faith your heart sees fit. Please look for candidates who will continue to allow that — regardless of their personal beliefs.
The editorial board is comprised of Editor-in-Chief Paige Collins, Managing Editor Marissa Abruzzini and Opinion Editor Sarah Aitchison.
