Speaking of Faith | Your Reflections | Religion on the Campaign Trail

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2003
The Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (May 30, 2003)

Homosexuality and the Divided Church (Aug. 8, 2003)

Marriage in Our Time Part II: Women, Marriage, and Religion (Aug. 1, 2003)

Marriage in Our Time Part I: Marriage, Divorce and Scripture (July 25, 2003)

The Soul in Depression (July 18, 2003)

Science and Being (July 11, 2003)

Religious Liberty in America: The Legacy of Church and State (July 4, 2003)

Sprituality and Sexuality (June 27)

Joe Carter and the Legacy of the African-American Spiritual (May 9)

Stories Behind the Story: Easter and Passover (April 18)

Children of Abraham (April 4)

Religion in a Time of War (March)

Faith and Politics in America (February)

The Soul in Depression (January)

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Reflections on "Religion on the Campaign Trail"

Religious ideas are staking their place in the 2004 election. Host Krista Tippett speaks with two political commentators: one, a liberal proposes that there is substance in the religious rhetoric of Democratic candidates, and that this reflects a larger shift in the role of religion in American life; the other, a conservative discusses what the American public doesn't understand about Evangelical, churchgoing voters. Listen

What role do you think religion should play in the role of presidential politics? What did you think of the perspectives of the voices in this program?
Please share your thoughts.

Lack of Sincerity (January 25, 2004)
I am commenting as liberal, practicing Christian. Regarding our presidential candidates and their religious inclinations: I have no objection to a leader proclaiming or practicing his/her faith, especially if I felt the proclamations/practices were sincere. Saying that, however, I do not believe that it is necessary for a leader to be religious to be moral.

However, I have a big problems with politicians like Ronald Reagan who are not religious but who hypocritically (and successfully) pretend they are to curry the favor and votes of the religious right. I also have a problem with politicians like George W. Bush who apparently (whether by conviction or for vote pandering) are trying to impose religious convictions on our pluralistic society.

It was gratifying to hear from Mr. Cromartie that there are Evangelicals who are moderate to liberal on social issues. My questions to him are the same I would address to moderate Muslims: Why are you so silent? Why do you let your compatriots of the Religious Right who seem to be governed by their intolerance and hatred do almost all of the speaking for you?

I was struck by Mr. Cromartie's statement that some Evangelicals are better than some of their leaders. My wife and I have several close friends who fall in this category. These are decent, loving people, and we are humbled by their charitable activities and generous giving of themselves, their time, and their money to worthy causes.

But their politics utterly appalls us. It doesn't take much to uncover their underlying hatreds and intolerance which totally contradict any professions of an accepting, loving Christianity. (For example, all it takes is the injection of the word "Clinton" into the conversation.) I cannot understand how they reconcile this hatred and bigotry with their professed Christianity. A prominent example of this intolerance was the literal crucifixion of our local Tony Campolo by his fellow Evangelicals when he acted liked a real Christian and dared to provide religious counseling for Bill Clinton in the aftermath of the Monica Lewinsky affair.

We want to compliment you on your program. Despite the fact that we are prone in bed when your program is broadcast here in Philadelphia at 7 AM on Sundays, we regularly get caught up in the stimulating and enlightening discussions. Please keep up the good work.

Joe Spampinato
Wayne, PA (WHYY 91.0-FM)

Morality in the Public Forum (January 25, 2004)
Glad to hear that you have taken on the issues that touch the heart of our culture as a nation. When morality gets into the public discourse all are enriched. It would be interesting to expand the discussion to the global commmunity. The discussion expands everyone's horizons — even beyond borders.

Annette Pelletier
Arlington, VA (WETA 90.9-FM)

Lack of Sincerity (January 25, 2004)
My reaction (and has been for a long time) to politicians who "share" their religious beliefs and ideals is to immediately disbelieve them. Politicians have used polls, such as the polls discussed today, to persuade people to vote for them, whether they truly have those beliefs or not.

To equate "morality" and "values" is another travesty. One can be a highly moral individual without participating in any organized religion or believing in any higher "power." Additionally, politicians using 9/11 as rationale for publicly declaring and displaying their religious beliefs is another travesty. That is exactly what the terrorists of 9/11 did. No matter where terrorism is occurring, the terrorists believe they are doing it in the name of God, Jesus, Allah, Buddah, etc. I am extremely disturbed and distraught by all of the political candidates who feel the need to wear their religion on their microphone, and I admit I don't believe a word of it.

I am a 70 year old woman who has voted in every election since I turned 21 (which was the voting age when I started) and have become more of a cynic as time goes by. Thank you for listening to my thoughts and feelings.

Naomi Lerner
Placentia, CA (KPCC 89.3-FM)