Kerry good at leaving religion out of his stance on issues

Zachary Lauritzen / Columnist

Any student of history can tell horrifying stories of what results when church and state are not kept separate. For many Americans, however, it is acceptable for the faith of politicians to shine through in their policy decisions. However, that relationship must be a cautious one.

In the eyes of many, Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike, the current administration is pushing that relationship too far.

The Christian Science Monitor, a conservative Christian magazine, in a 2002 article quoted Richard Land, the president of a Southern Baptist Convention Committee, as saying, "I don't think there's any question that his (Bush’s) faith is absolutely determinative in his decision-making." Many Americans see the need for a more distinct line between faith and policy making.

Perhaps more disturbing is George Bush’s attempt to exploit churches around the country for his re-election campaign. Newspapers across the country have reported the Bush-Cheney campaign has asked churches to “turn over church directories, distribute voter guides and enlist pastors in voter registration guides.”

Reverend Barry Lynn, executive of Americans United, stated, “Politicizing churches is morally wrong and legally dubious. The Bush campaign should repent of this reckless scheme.” The same Richard Land quoted in the Christian Science Monitor said he was “appalled” by the Bush scheme.

According to newspaper reports the Bush Campaign has been exposed not once, but twice, in attempting to use churches for political ends. This not only disrespects churches and endangers their tax-exempt status, but further blurs the needed separation of church and state.

In the second presidential debate John Kerry described a healthy relationship between politicians, faith and the church and its application to himself: “I'm a Catholic, raised a Catholic. I was an altar boy. Religion has been a huge part of my life. It helped lead me through a war, leads me today.”

“But I can't take what is an article of faith for me and legislate it for someone who doesn't share that article of faith, whether they be agnostic, atheist, Jew, Protestant, whatever. I can't do that.”

There is no doubt both George Bush and John Kerry are religious. The difference is the application of their religious beliefs. George Bush has decided to allow his religious beliefs to heavily influence his political policy. He continues to blur the line of separation. John Kerry stands firmly behind separating his religious views from his political policy. Faith guides John Kerry, not his policy: an important distinction.

Contact Zachary Lauritzen at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.