Comments on: “let’s take secular nonsense and pious silliness out of politics” http://skepticum.com/let%e2%80%99s-take-secular-nonsense-and-pious-silliness-out-of-politics/ A Godless Skeptic's Notes on Liberty, Religion, Society, and More... Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:31:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Eyquem http://skepticum.com/let%e2%80%99s-take-secular-nonsense-and-pious-silliness-out-of-politics/#comment-1008 Eyquem Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:19:53 +0000 http://skepticum.com/let%e2%80%99s-take-secular-nonsense-and-pious-silliness-out-of-politics/#comment-1008 I would rather have both parties pull the religious card, than only one. That way it cancels itself out. I would rather have both parties pull the religious card, than only one. That way it cancels itself out.

]]> By: Mana http://skepticum.com/let%e2%80%99s-take-secular-nonsense-and-pious-silliness-out-of-politics/#comment-998 Mana Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:54:58 +0000 http://skepticum.com/let%e2%80%99s-take-secular-nonsense-and-pious-silliness-out-of-politics/#comment-998 I think it's one of those things where we are knee deep in religious conversations during this campaign, but I think the religious discussion took this turn during the last elections. In that regard the trend is not that new. At the same time the media discourse evolves around the same themes over and over again: it's ok to have a healthy debate on religious views but it's not ok to question a candidate based on their religious views. I'm not sure how we can accomplish either without crossing into the other's territory. I think it’s one of those things where we are knee deep in religious conversations during this campaign, but I think the religious discussion took this turn during the last elections. In that regard the trend is not that new. At the same time the media discourse evolves around the same themes over and over again: it’s ok to have a healthy debate on religious views but it’s not ok to question a candidate based on their religious views. I’m not sure how we can accomplish either without crossing into the other’s territory.

]]> By: Billy http://skepticum.com/let%e2%80%99s-take-secular-nonsense-and-pious-silliness-out-of-politics/#comment-996 Billy Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:48:20 +0000 http://skepticum.com/let%e2%80%99s-take-secular-nonsense-and-pious-silliness-out-of-politics/#comment-996 Is it just me, or is the press being rather hypocritical about religion in politics? In 2000 and 2004, when the Bush campaign was openly courting the radical religious right and hyping Bush's born again status, the use of religion in a political milieu was considered acceptable. Now that the Republicans have a Mormon (antithetical to most evangelical christians) who is among the frontrunners, and the Democrats have Obama (who has long term religious bonafides), politics and religion suddenly shouldn't mix? To be fair, the press has a long pedigree of such double standards. Jimmy Carter was a born again christian who governed from slightly left of center. Reagan rarely saw the inside of a church. Bush I ditto. The Clintons attended church reguarly. Bush II, despite (or maybe because of) his born again credentials rarely goes to church. Until the press decides to treat religion the same for both parties, leave it alone. If a candidate brings it up, question why they are bringing it up. Most of all, ask any religious candidate if they will make decisions based on faith or critical thinking. Is it just me, or is the press being rather hypocritical about religion in politics? In 2000 and 2004, when the Bush campaign was openly courting the radical religious right and hyping Bush’s born again status, the use of religion in a political milieu was considered acceptable. Now that the Republicans have a Mormon (antithetical to most evangelical christians) who is among the frontrunners, and the Democrats have Obama (who has long term religious bonafides), politics and religion suddenly shouldn’t mix? To be fair, the press has a long pedigree of such double standards. Jimmy Carter was a born again christian who governed from slightly left of center. Reagan rarely saw the inside of a church. Bush I ditto. The Clintons attended church reguarly. Bush II, despite (or maybe because of) his born again credentials rarely goes to church.

Until the press decides to treat religion the same for both parties, leave it alone. If a candidate brings it up, question why they are bringing it up. Most of all, ask any religious candidate if they will make decisions based on faith or critical thinking.

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