Guest Opinion: Candidates should keep religion out of politics
By Dr. Gilbert D. Shapiro
Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Arizona, December 13, 2007
In a recent speech to the nation, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney made comments that deserve to be challenged. Romney and other candidates who profess deep faith claim that their scriptural beliefs will not interfere with the preservation, protection and defense of our secular Constitution.
But Romney and company are applying for a job to administer a country of 300 million citizens comprising many different cultures and beliefs. The ground rules under which all Americans live have been spelled out in a Constitution that was designed intentionally as a godless document by men who insisted that this new nation would take a neutral stance toward religion.
Accordingly, Article 6 of the Constitution states that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office" and the First Amendment makes it clear that, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
The Center for Inquiry Community of Southern Arizona, an organization of nonbelievers in gods and religions, supports our secular Constitution.
We take exception to Romney's ridiculous statement that "Freedom requires religion." It is insulting and offensive to the millions of freedom-loving atheist/agnostic Americans who have fought for our liberties just as hard as have religionists.
Similarly, Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said in a television ad that, "Faith doesn't just influence me, it really defines me." His self-description as a "Christian leader" and his statements, such as "Let us not sacrifice our principles for anybody's politics. Not now, not ever," make us skeptical whether he can govern objectively.
We are shocked by the conflict of interest and dishonesty of this potential president who intends to take an oath to respect a secular Constitution yet craft public policy consistent with his personal faith.
On that theme, we have sadly noted that President Bush has not supported programs that were not in line with his religious beliefs. His health-care policies as they relate to sexual education/health, stem-cell research, abstinence education, abortion and emergency contraception have been influenced by irrational moral and ethical guideposts that are uniquely Christian.
For many office holders claiming deep faith, when scripture and science are at odds, scripture wins out. Romney confirmed this observation when he said, that "We are a nation 'under God' and in God, we do indeed trust."
As a private citizen he is within his rights to make this otherwise misguided statement. But as a prospective representative of all this nation's citizens, any actions he would take based on that viewpoint would violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment.
Religionists need to be reminded that democracy and fairness are neither words nor concepts found in the Bible.
While the nonreligious community respects the right of individuals to believe whatever they want, we insist that religion stay out of government.
The Center for Inquiry Community of Southern Arizona affirms that public policy must be guided by logic, reason and rational thought — which are the hallmarks of secularism.
Write to Gilbert Shapiro at .
