The Religion Race

The role of religion in politics has become a central issue in this election. This is in part because John Kerry has begun a late campaign to gain some of the religious "conscience voters" that Bush has had a stranglehold on. This campaign comes in light of Catholic bishops telling their congregations it would be a sin to vote for Kerry, a Catholic, because he supports abortion and embryonic stem cell research. These circumstances have caused the discussion of the general place of religion in modern politics.

In my personal opinion, the government should not impose beliefs, nor should it disturb a person's ability to worship or not worship as he or she wishes. However, religion is an integral part of American life both on a societal and individual level, and therefore could never be fully separated from government. Also, any candidate who considers religion important cannot say that he can fully separate his beliefs and his politics.

I recently saw Gary Bauer speak and he put this more eloquently than I could. He was asked about the role of religion and he takes issue with John Kerry regarding what Kerry has said. Bauer pointed out that in the debate Kerry said regarding the abortion issue that he does not believe in abortion, but he cannot force his beliefs on others through his policies. Later in the debate, however, Kerry speaks of the legislation he has supported because of his religious beliefs. Bauer's assertion is that it is hypocritical of Kerry to force his beliefs on others regarding some issues, but then to claim he cannot ethically do so regarding other issues.

I believe politicians who base their policies on their beliefs, as long as they are practical and do not infringe on others rights, are just as or even more respectable than those who base their policies on politics or the party line. The former are more predictable in their stances, and voters are able to remove politicians if they disagree with their principles.

In accordance with this view, I believe that George W. Bush is the better candidate in terms of governing based on his beliefs and principles. At the same time, however, I completely understand the logic of people who will vote against him if they disagree with his principles. This is why I think there are so many people who are much more "anti-Bush" than "pro-Kerry." Kerry has become the alternative to Bush's beliefs rather than governing based on his beliefs, and that is why he will not take the "conscience voters" from Bush.