http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20160127/PC1002/160129489
In a January 17 op-ed, Kathleen Parker offered her dream ticket for Republicans: Marco Rubio and Nikki Haley. One of her reasons for preferring these candidates is that she believes their religion would not be one of the first questions on any voter’s mind. However, on the same day as the op-ed, I saw a new Marco Rubio political campaign ad that began, “Our goal is eternity, the ability to live alongside our Creator for all time. To accept the free gift of salvation offered to us by Jesus Christ.”
In a January 17 op-ed, Kathleen Parker offered her dream ticket for Republicans: Marco Rubio and Nikki Haley. One of her reasons for preferring these candidates is that she believes their religion would not be one of the first questions on any voter’s mind. However, on the same day as the op-ed, I saw a new Marco Rubio political campaign ad that began, “Our goal is eternity, the ability to live alongside our Creator for all time. To accept the free gift of salvation offered to us by Jesus Christ.”
This might be the goal of some Christians, but it is not “our goal” as Americans. It’s not the goal of Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, or atheists like me. When Rubio puts his religious beliefs front-and-center in a political campaign ad, I want to know how his sectarian beliefs will affect public policy. I hope he is just pandering to voters by mindlessly throwing out popular religious phrases.
Nikki Haley was raised as a Sikh, and became a Christian prior to running for public office. When she first became a gubernatorial candidate, her website said, "I believe in the power and grace of Almighty God." She later felt the need to change it to "My faith in Christ has a profound impact on my daily life. Being a Christian is not about words, but about living for Christ every day."
Political candidates who promote their devotion to the Christian God or Jesus remind me that we could likely find mirror images in many Muslim countries, as candidates there seek votes by pledging their devotion to Muhammad and Allah. It’s scary to see religion play a major role in political campaigns, especially in a secular country with a Constitution that prohibits religious tests for public office.
This might be the goal of some Christians, but it is not “our goal” as Americans. It’s not the goal of Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, or atheists like me. When Rubio puts his religious beliefs front-and-center in a political campaign ad, I want to know how his sectarian beliefs will affect public policy. I hope he is just pandering to voters by mindlessly throwing out popular religious phrases.
Nikki Haley was raised as a Sikh, and became a Christian prior to running for public office. When she first became a gubernatorial candidate, her website said, "I believe in the power and grace of Almighty God." She later felt the need to change it to "My faith in Christ has a profound impact on my daily life. Being a Christian is not about words, but about living for Christ every day."
Political candidates who promote their devotion to the Christian God or Jesus remind me that we could likely find mirror images in many Muslim countries, as candidates there seek votes by pledging their devotion to Muhammad and Allah. It’s scary to see religion play a major role in political campaigns, especially in a secular country with a Constitution that prohibits religious tests for public office.
