Categories
politics religion

What kind of religion should a president have

[Today’s run: 3.4 miles]

I got a flu shot yesterday and today’s run was a mess.  But I made it home OK.  I’m thinking about going to bed early.

I read an article online about presidential candidate Ben Carson being a Seventh Day Adventist.  Personally, I don’t think that matters a lot.  But it did get me thinking about what kind of (or lack of) religion we expect from our US Presidents.

I came to the conclusion that it is not politically wise for a candidate to trumpet their particular type of religion.  We have such a diversity of groups that selecting one over the others is going to be an overall vote-losing move.    I don’t think Carson did that, by the way.  I think other candidates brought the issue up.

But also I think there is a strong enough current of religion in the country that a candidate with a strongly anti-religious position would also be in political trouble.  We seem to want someone who has some faith, but nothing too exotic and maybe nothing very strong.

4 replies on “What kind of religion should a president have”

After a Mormon who is the great grandson of a polygamist ran as a major party candidate, I figure anything goes. (I am thinking Mormons, to some, aren’t Christian.). Decades ago, Kennedy being a Catholic was a big thing to some. Pope dictating US policy, or some such concern. Christian Scientist might be a challenge. No more NIH funding?

I truly respect Jimmy Carter. I think he walks the talk with his faith.

I think that Carson’s comments about not being ready for a Muslim president is similar to the Kennedy situation. People perceive that there is some higher authority to which we are accountable and that there is a potential conflict between that higher authority and a potential leader’s decision making for the country. In the Kennedy case, he wasn’t that strict of a Catholic (and it is anyway considered “normal” these days for an American Catholic to pretty much ignore the church’s rules).

I suspect it would be very hard for a practicing Jew to be elected president (because of conflicting thoughts over our relationship with Israel), and likewise a Muslim with the unknowns/fears about foundational Islamic doctrines and movements.

So you’re right, anyone who is outside the range of moderate to non-practicing more-or-less-Christian, probably isn’t going to make it. If you’ve ever rang a doorbell to talk to a stranger about your religion, you probably are excluded.

I’m not saying that is a bad thing. It pretty much represents our nation.

By Post Author

In the long run I am optimistic about positive change in this regard.

200 years ago a president could (and did) own people.

100 years ago women couldn’t vote.

I never thought I’d experience living under a president of non-European heritage. We have half of that now…

Comments are closed.