Religion and Politics

Last week, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama were interviewed by the Rev. Rick Warren.  It is hard to believe that these two presidential candidates would mix religion and politics to the extent that they did, especially since religion is a private matter.  It shows how  religion has high jacked our political process.

 

The Rev. Billy Graham over the past 50 years met with many presidents and candidates for that office but never questioned their religious beliefs in public or private that we know of.  The idea that McCain and Obama was questioned about abortion 30 plus years after the supreme court decision and was even asked, "when does life begin" is frightening. 

 

Abortion is legal in the U.S. and the anti abortion people still try to convince others that those who support a woman's right to choose are advocating abortion.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  I know of no elected official who supports a woman's right to choose who has promoted abortion or is for abortion.

 

The religious right hates those laws they oppose and use religion to justify their actions.  Sadly the conservatives and the news media are still playing the abortion issue out in order to divide the country and its people.

 

As for asking the question, "when does life begin" is as divisive as you can get.  There is no common sense answer when we mix science with religion because it brings out the extreme.  Religion is personal in nature and should stay that way when it comes to politics.  This country and its people went through its best years at a time when we did not question the faith or religion of our elected officials or those running for office.

 

The last three republican presidents elected to that office ran on an anti abortion platform, but none would publicly support a constitutional amendment to reverse Roe v. Wade.  In other words their political position on abortion was to secure votes from their base to be elected to office.  That should tell how they used religion for political purposes to divide the country and its people.