I've taken a short break from P&N, but this has brought me back...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7566341.stm
I've read the article here, as well as the other news going around with Obama and McCain's visit to the area (I live near Lake Forest). But I'm thinking...does it really matter what they believe?
Do any of you believe (I suppose religious or not - because if I said religious only, I'm sure i'm missing a huge segment of AT) that a person's religious beliefs is a huge factor in determining if they are able to lead the country? Of course, one could say it is important that they don't force their religious beliefs on us, but that is not the situation with either of these candidates (at most we'll continue to have faith based funding and maybe something dealing with abortion) so I don't want to go down that speculative path.
Of course I think for them to be invited to a forum to discuss what they think and feel is absolutely fine, but it is obvious that it is a reach towards those who are religious. I can't help but think though that the what is needed is someone that has a developed sense of morals - but we already know morals can be absent of religion. So what should it matter if they believe in God from a Christian, Jewish, or Muslim perspective? Should it matter if they believe in reincarnation so as long as they have do not have a twisted sense of morals. I do think in the case of a president, where we will judge him or her by the actions that he or she takes, what is done is FAR more important than what they think.
I honestly believe that I could vote for an atheist without much of a problem so as long as he or she does not pull a France on us and attempt to actually squash religion in public life. These types of events are just "feel good session" to woo religious voters...but does it really make a difference?
Discuss~
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7566341.stm
I've read the article here, as well as the other news going around with Obama and McCain's visit to the area (I live near Lake Forest). But I'm thinking...does it really matter what they believe?
Do any of you believe (I suppose religious or not - because if I said religious only, I'm sure i'm missing a huge segment of AT) that a person's religious beliefs is a huge factor in determining if they are able to lead the country? Of course, one could say it is important that they don't force their religious beliefs on us, but that is not the situation with either of these candidates (at most we'll continue to have faith based funding and maybe something dealing with abortion) so I don't want to go down that speculative path.
Of course I think for them to be invited to a forum to discuss what they think and feel is absolutely fine, but it is obvious that it is a reach towards those who are religious. I can't help but think though that the what is needed is someone that has a developed sense of morals - but we already know morals can be absent of religion. So what should it matter if they believe in God from a Christian, Jewish, or Muslim perspective? Should it matter if they believe in reincarnation so as long as they have do not have a twisted sense of morals. I do think in the case of a president, where we will judge him or her by the actions that he or she takes, what is done is FAR more important than what they think.
I honestly believe that I could vote for an atheist without much of a problem so as long as he or she does not pull a France on us and attempt to actually squash religion in public life. These types of events are just "feel good session" to woo religious voters...but does it really make a difference?
Discuss~