How much faith is too much faith for presidential candidates?

[sniffa]

In debates, presidential candidates are asked "what would Jesus do" and whether they literally believe every word of the Bible.

The questions say a lot about what voters today want in their candidates: They want them to believe, but not to be ruled by the tenets of their religion. And, it helps, of course, if your faith is a mainstream one.

snip

Recent polls show younger white evangelical Christians are less inclined to consider themselves Republicans, opening the door a little wider for Democrats a generation after the 1980 election in which Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority cemented fundamentalist support with conservative Republicans.

In addition to Hillary Clinton's appearance at a fundamentalist church, Barack Obama often appears with church leaders, and John Edwards explained to one debate questioner that his religion has led him to oppose gay marriage, even if his wife supports it.

much more.

http://www.mercurynews.com/localnewsheadlines/ci_7648410?nclick_check=1

i think it's a myth that the majority of voters want a religion in their president. i'm sure they'd take competence after the disaster of the last 7 years.

[Deep13]

1. Too much is when it becomes a basis for policy decisions. n/t

[dbackjon]

2. Yup

[fascisthunter]

3. "Faith" has Nothing to Do With It

when they are preaching their dogma

[CK_John]

4. Even a muslim may want to run for president someday. n/t

[elehhhhna]

5. I'd prefer they believe in the Constitution

[RiverStone]

6. As long as politicians keep their...

religiosity out of government - I don't care what they believe (or not).

Shrub unfortunately is the poster boy for doing just the opposite. He has admitted to praying for guidance and we know where that has left us.

I like what the Dalai Lama said: My religion is simple, my religion is kindness.

[Perky]

10. You don't think Jimmy Carter prayed for guidance?

[liberal N proud]

7. Anyone who tells me they are faithful to their god usually isn't

If they are advertising it is because their faith doesn't show in their actions. All this crap of having the fish on the back of the car and t-shirts with GOD on it does nothing but warn me to steer clear.
Actions speak louder than the words.

It is OK if the President has faith but he shouldn't be hearing voices and his faith shouldn't be telling him that it is OK to violate the Constitution.

[Ron Green]

8. I suggest that just as an individual may be guided by Spirit as well as by "the flesh,"

so may the State be informed by a "higher power" as much as it is influenced by corporate market interests. The challenge is to balance God and Mammon. A presidential candidate who can show real Spirit in his or her life and actions will resonate more favorably with most people.

[Perky]

9. but what if.....

they take as an article of faith


Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.

If they are compelled by their faith to make peace, to do justice...to aid the poor anf the homeless in new effective ways....Is that really so bad?

If they do so without drawing attention to their faith, thought it be driven by their faith..is that a bad thing?

I am not suggesting that such sentiments and policies need to be faith-based, but to the extent that faith informs policy it is not always a bad thing....my senses is that you can't ever say I am doing thus and so because God or the Bible told me to.


But to ask anyone to put their faith comletely aside in order to govern is somewhat dehumanizing.