Election 2008: Barack Obama and Church-State Issues
We've looked at John McCain's stand on separation of church and state; now we'll look at Barack Obama's.
The Obama campaign web site has a section called Faith, and there you can find links to videos and position papers on church-state issues. See in particular Obama's "Call for Renewal" speech, in which the Senator explores how religion can remain influential in social and political issues without violating the separation of church and state.
On the other hand, our About.com Guide to Atheism/Agnosticism, Austin Cline, thinks that Obama's statements on religion still amount to using political office to promote a religious point of view. "Barack Obama's actual political policies may be an improvement over those of George W. Bush, but his approach to politics may be ultimately no better and may serve to keep American political discourse mired in the swamp of theology and faith-based nonsense."
I think what Obama says about church-state issues needs to be placed in the context of U.S. political culture. For years, American conservatism has acted as if it holds the patent on religion. Liberals, who are more likely to think of religion as a personal matter, long have defended themselves against accusations that they are hostile to religion. Apparently, in some circles if one is not dedicated to pounding one's religious views into other peoples' heads, one must hate religion.
I think much of what Obama says about religion is defensive. It boils down to Just because I don't want to force Americans to recite the Ten Commandments five times a day doesn't mean I'm not religious. I don't agree entirely with the way the Senator frames his defense of his own religion, but I am not alarmed about it.He argues also that religious people need to be educated about how to discuss issues in the political arena. If a religious person believes X should be unlawful, it's fine for him to speak up and voice an opinion. But in the political arena he must make a non-religious argument for X. Otherwise, to enact a law banning X is a violation of the First Amendment. I've been making the same argument for years.
I believe it's impossible for religious people to sever religion from their political views. Our religions provide a context for understanding ourselves and the world around us, and this in turn impacts the way we understand political issues. However, we've got an ongoing problem with drawing the line between making religiously based decisions about our own lives and forcing religiously based decisions on everyone else.
I think this issue is something religious people need to discuss among ourselves, and Obama's "Call for Renewal" speech is not a bad place to start. As I said, I don't agree entirely with his perspective, but it is a step toward a middle way. The important point is that he seems committed to maintaining the separation of church and state.
Comments
I am a person of faith and have been my whole life. I firmly believe that churches and church members should be free to speak on any subject including politics. AND I believe that all churches and non-profits should pay property and income taxes. (With deductions for true community service.) Right now with churches and non-profits not paying taxes I have to pay for garbage collection, snow removal, police & fire protection for all groups including those with whom I disagree.
Nothing gets me more upset when I’m sitting at Sunday services amongst families with children and the sermon turns into a discussion of something other than the scripture and how it relates to our everyday life. I understand that religious leaders have (and should have) strong views on things like the death penalty and abortion, but I don’t think the house of worship is the right place to say it, especially when there are children present. I’ve actually left when this has happened in my church and have seen others done the same. Whether I agree or disagree is not the issue, it’s a question of appropriateness.
I highly suggest reading “Original Intent” by David Barton concerning the American constitution.
Concerning America’s history “The light and the Glory” and From Seas to Shining Sea” by Peter Marshall and Manuel.
Concerning the idea of complete separation of religion and state. One of the following has to take place: The state is dissolved or the state establishes a religion.
Currently in the American public arena the religion is secular humanism. Please note that the supreme court has ruled secular humanism a religion circa 1960’s.
Mr. Reuschlein, you say,
“Concerning the idea of complete separation of religion and state. One of the following has to take place: The state is dissolved or the state establishes a religion.”
That makes no sense at all.
“Currently in the American public arena the religion is secular humanism. Please note that the supreme court has ruled secular humanism a religion circa 1960’s.”
Some time back I tracked down the court opinion in which this alleged “ruling” took place. In fact, the Court “ruled” no such thing. “Secular humanism” was merely mentioned in a footnote in one justice’s written opinion on a case unrelated to “secular humanism,” whatever that is.
Religions can be humanistic, too, and to me a secular society is one that is neutral and non-sectarian on the matter of religion. That’s actually good for religion. What’s bad for religion is a lot of partisan bickering over which religious tribe gets to lord it over the other religious tribes.
I cannot disagree with what you want from our governmental leaders with respect to religion because you have not stated it clearly here. Barack Obama seems to be making an attempt to state a clear position. What’s your alternative? I find no fault in President Obama’s encouragement for us to respect one another’s beliefs, diverse religious practices, national civil religious ceremonial traditions, and concerns for others and for our national welfare.
Stewart — the blog post was written about a month before the November election. It was intended to draw some contrast between the two candidates without injecting my personal opinion.
I find no fault in President Obama’s encouragement for us to respect one another’s beliefs, diverse religious practices, national civil religious ceremonial traditions, and concerns for others and for our national welfare, either.