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Religion 'misused' in election, scholar says

E-mail|Link|Comments (5) Posted by Michael Paulson October 4, 2008 10:27 AM

Charles C. Haynes (right), a leading expert on religious liberty issues, argues in an op-ed piece published by several newspapers that "In the long history of religion in presidential campaigns, the 2008 race may well be remembered as the sleaziest and most disturbing example of misusing religion to win votes and demonize the opposition." He argues that both sides are guilty, citing widespread attacks on the supposed religious affiliation and beliefs of Barack Obama and Sarah Palin, and, during the primaries, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney. An excerpt:

"There is a critical difference between faith as motivation and faith as manipulation. Unlike the civil rights movement — where faith was a key motivation for many in the struggle for social justice — the current God strategy by candidates and their surrogates often uses religion as a weapon to destroy opponents in the name of winning elections. Enough is enough. It’s time for the candidates to set an example by dialing back the God talk. Speak out instead for what the Constitution actually requires: A president committed to upholding the First Amendment by keeping government out of religion while simultaneously ensuring that people of all faiths and none are treated with fairness and respect."

Haynes (right) is a senior scholar at the First Amendment Center in Washington.

(Photo from the First Amendment Center.)

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5 comments so far...

People with no religious beliefs are at a significant disadvantage in this country. Once you say you don't believe in god/gods, you are somehow an empty person in the eyes of those with "faith." If America was serious about the separation of church and state, all references to god/gods would be removed from money, recitals, etc. But so long as we're not on "the winning team," we simply have to live with it. I have no problem with nativity scenes on a church lawn or on a homeowner's lawn. Once it goes up on the town common, it seems like the First Amendment is one of convenience.

Posted by Central Scrutinizer October 4, 08 01:39 PM

Truer words were never spoken.

Posted by Wainwright Peregrine October 4, 08 02:40 PM

Fantastic. It is about time that someone sheds light on this disturbing trend.

Posted by MARA FRATTASIO October 4, 08 03:08 PM

What about the media putting a front page article about this? Or you going to wait until election passes? It is about time.

Posted by Fernando October 4, 08 06:34 PM

It is a scary trend. It scares me that Obama has to defend himself from being called a muslim. In this country, it shouldn't matter what faith you are, or if you have none, as long as you are not a sick-twisted weirdo. Even Palin getting a blessing from a minister of a different faith from her own, why is that a big deal, because its different?

Posted by dadadee October 4, 08 06:58 PM

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Michael Paulson covers religion for The Boston Globe. He shared in the Pulitzer Prize in 2003, won the Mike Berger, Templeton and Supple awards in 2008, and is a four-time winner of the Wilbur Award.
E-mail mpaulson@globe.com.

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