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February 13, 2012
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Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
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Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
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Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
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Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Jan. 28, 2004
/ 5 Shevat, 5764
Candidates finding piety a must in politics
By
John Chadwick
Welcome to Campaign 2004, where the candidates' personal piety has become almost as important as their policy proposals. Is this a good thing?
http://www.jewishworldreview.com |
(KRT)
President Bush spoke of the capture of Saddam Hussein in distinctly religious terms.
"Justice was being delivered to a man who defied that gift (of freedom) from the Almighty to the people of Iraq," he said.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., gave a speech in which he thanked the Divine for the Hebrew prophet Amos and Jesus of Nazareth.
Not to be outreligioned, Howard Dean told audiences in Iowa that he prays every day and has read the Bible.
Welcome to Campaign 2004, where the candidates' personal piety has become almost as important as their policy proposals.
"This is where we are now," said Mark Silk, an associate professor of religion in public life at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. "What questions about pot smoking were to the candidates in 1988, belief in Jesus is to 2004."
But the earnest disclosures of religious devotion draw complicated and sharply divergent reactions in the multi-faith mosaic of the nation.
"I think the current administration has really upped the ante, and I do find it disturbing," said the Rev. Lynne Bleich Weber, pastor of the Episcopal Church of the Atonement in Tenafly, N.J. "You can't rule out G-d talk. We have freedom of speech and religion. But when I hear talk of G-d blessing a particular political agenda or mission, I find that's dangerous and inappropriate."
But others — including a fast-growing and emboldened evangelical Christian movement — contend that G-d has been kept out of the public dialogue for far too long. And they're working to bring him back.
"We have people throughout our state who have been praying our nation would be restored to our G-dly heritage," said Patricia Wenzel, a West Milford resident who is New Jersey coordinator for the National Day of Prayer. "I think for people to begin asking questions about the candidates - 'What is your value system? And under whose standard do you live?' — for people to be asking this, that's huge."
Both sides agree on one fact: The days when the nation's leaders could discuss their religious beliefs with reticence and restraint are over. Faith is now perceived as an essential part of a candidate's resume.
The turning point, some scholars say, came during the 1980 presidential campaign, when Ronald Reagan met with religious conservatives in Dallas, telling them famously, "I endorse you."
"What's happened is that the Republicans have figured out that the religious right is an important resource, and the Democrats have had to follow suit," said Ted G. Jelen, a political science professor at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
"Those who consider themselves part of the Christian right account for 15 percent of voters. That's a larger bloc than blacks, than unions, and close to Hispanics."
The religious right is particularly strong in the South, but groups like the Christian Coalition are active elsewhere, sending out e-mail alerts on a range of hot-button issues to members, who then inform their pastors and congregations.
Bush is expected to easily capture the evangelical vote in the South. From his own story of personal transformation through Christ, to his limits on stem cell research, to his efforts to provide tax dollars for religion-based social service agencies, Bush "has made it clear he is one of these folks, and they think he is one of them," Silk said.
Yet one public opinion poll suggests it isn't just the religious right who wants to hear more religion from political leaders. The poll, conducted during the summer by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, reported that 41 percent of respondents said there had been too little reference to religious faith and prayer by politicians, nearly twice as much as the 21 percent who said there had been too much. The poll also found that more than half — 52 percent — said they would have reservations voting for a president who had no religion.
The political repercussions are evident on the campaign trail, where Dean came under intense scrutiny late last year because he avoided discussing religion. In a recent Newsweek interview, the former Vermont governor was asked: "Do you see Jesus Christ as the son of G-d and believe in him as the route to salvation and eternal life?"
Dean responded: "I certainly see him as the son of G-d." The flurry of G-d talk has sparked a backlash.
The Anti-Defamation League, a [thoroughly secular — editor] Jewish organization, issued a statement this month warning against the growing emphasis on religion in the campaign.
"Candidates should feel comfortable explaining their religious convictions to voters," said Barbara B. Balser, ADL national chairwoman, and Abraham H. Foxman, the group's national director. "However, we feel strongly that appealing to voters on the basis of religion is contrary to the American ideal and can be inherently divisive, wrongly suggesting that a candidate's religious beliefs should be a litmus test for public office."
New Jersey-based American Atheists plans to start a political action committee this year to make sure its voice is not excluded from the debate.
Ellen Johnson, a Midland Park, N.J., native who runs American Atheists from her home, cited a 2001 survey that showed 14 percent of the nation has no religious beliefs. The problem, she said, is that the millions of atheists, humanists, and agnostics aren't very well-organized.
"The politicians are doing what they perceive as necessary to get elected, and I don't blame them," Johnson said. "But this year we will be asking candidates questions and we will be making endorsements."
Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the Democratic front-runner and a Catholic, will not emphasize his religion during the campaign, a spokesman said.
"The senator has said religion shouldn't be used to affect public policy," said Dave DiMartino. "He regularly attends church on the campaign trail, but he doesn't think faith is something you have to beat people over the head with."
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John Chadwick is a reporter for The Bergen County (NJ) Record. Comment by clicking here.
© 2004, The Record (Bergen County, N.J.) Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services
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