Commentary; Posted: 10/20/04

Religion and the coming election

Rev. John C. Blackford
Religion columnist

Not since 1960, when Roman Catholic John F. Kennedy was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. presidency has religion been as large a factor as it is this year.

To the question, ìWhat connection does religion have to politics?î Americans are responding, ìMuch.î

The media, surprised by this strong interest, is devoting considerable attention to the publicís religious opinions. Last Friday the Public TV program, ìWall Street Week,î featured the candidatesí religious views on its concluding segment. The Time magazine cover story for June 21 was entitled ìFaith, God and the Oval Office.î The Wall Street Journal has run frequent articles on religious aspects of this election. The Twin Cities newspapers have addressed the topic almost daily and in last Saturdayís Minneapolis Star Tribune there was a page one story, ìCatholics put values on line at the ballot box.î In it Archbishop Harry Flynn of St. Paul is said to have declined requests for an interview in which he would have been asked to comment on Senator John F. Kerryís political stance on abortion, which Kerry supports politically, but which is contrary to Catholic teaching. Flynn is reported to have declined an invitation to appear with President Bush a weekend ago in Chanhassen. He said, ìWe donít anoint candidates for office.î

Why all this attention to religion in politics? Why are people so concerned about the connection? In the 1960 election the main religious concern was prejudice, whether a predominantly Protestant country would choose a Catholic to lead us. Today the issue is how the faith experiences of the candidates affect their policies and actions, and not their denominational affiliations.

In the third TV presidential debate religious views were highlighted. Senator Kerry spoke of his Catholic faith, of having been an alter boy and of the influence of religion on his life. Echoing his Democratic constituency, according to observers, he took a secular approach to religion. Commentators suggested he was not altogether comfortable with religious talk and showed reticence in discussing it. President Bush reflected his personal faith in approaching the issues. As an adult he had a life changing spiritual experience, and it has significantly affected his views of the responsibilities of the presidency. Debate analysts agreed he is genuine in his beliefs, and that, by and large, Republicans are more comfortable with religious talk. The president was in line with party sentiments.

Last spring several Roman Catholic bishops declared that candidates for public office who held views on abortion and gay marriage in opposition to the doctrines of the church were not in good standing, and hence, could not receive the sacraments of the church.

This month, Pope John Paul, speaking on this sensitive issue, reinforced the Vaticanís insistence that the faithful adhere to church teaching to be able to receive communion. Some believe this is unduly pressuring politicians, while others understand it is consistent with their faith.

It is significant that President Bush, a member of the United Methodist Church, has not had support from the leaders of his denomination, although members of the lay people support him. Senator Kerry has not been endorsed by Catholic leaders. Mr. Bush was enthusiastically received by the Catholic Knights of Columbus at their recent convention. Mr. Kerry has received the tacit support of mainline Protestant groups because of his positions on social issues and the Iraqi war. In the Time issue in June (page 28) we read of the religion gap in American religion.

ìThe battle is not so much between faiths as within them. The more traditionally religious that people say they are, the more often they pray and attend worship services, the more likely they are to vote for BushÖ ëWhere we used to have antagonism between religious traditions, Catholics versus Protestants versus Jews, now what we have is liberal Protestants, linking up with local liberal Catholics and liberal Jews against an alliance of conservative Protestants, conservative Catholics and conservative Jews.íî

The Time poll at that time had ìvery religiousî voters supporting Bush over Kerry 59 percent to 35 percent, while those ìnot religiousî favor Kerry 69 percent to 22 percent.

In courting the black vote, Mr. Kerry has spoken in black churches, but, to the writerís knowledge, Mr. Bush has not been in church pulpits during the campaign.

The Rev. Bob Battle, pastor of predominantly black Berean Church in St. Paul, has come out in support of President Bush, citing the gay marriage question, and other black pastors of traditionally Democratic leaning congregations are in accord. Church groups of all types are encouraging voter registration and turnout. Whatever the results, religion is playing a large role in who will lead America in the next four years.

In every election some extreme partisans say itís the most important ever. This year there is a widespread sense that this is indeed a watershed time in America. In play are vital issuesóthe Iraqi war, terror threats, fiscal concerns, abortion, gay marriage, values, the appointment of judges, social security and the direction the country is goingóto name a few.

Will the style of the candidates be the basis of our choice, or will it be the substance of their position and their character traits?

It is vital that all eligible voters express their convictions. Every vote counts. Remember that Thomas Jefferson was elected president by a single vote.

Five states were admitted to the Union by a single vote. Lyndon Johnson was elected to the Senate by a single vote. Woodrow Wilson was elected to the presidency by less than a single vote per precinct in just one state. Exercise your franchise. Your vote counts!

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