I was asked by the folks over at the Newsweek-Washington Post On Faith project if there were religious reasons to vote for or against Barack Obama or John McCain. My response: there is always a religious reason to pick a candidate, at least if one is genuinely religious.
If one is religious, then there is always a religious reason to pick a candidate. At least if your religion cares about this world and the importance of political engagement as a means to improving it. The fact that such impulses are abused by people who arrogantly assume that theirs is the only way to hear God's voice or honor His/Her call is no excuse for segregating politics and faith.
As a fellow respondent to this question, Professor Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, stated so well, "Religion is not a hat that you can take off or put on at will". I caution however against confusing having a religious reason for choosing a candidate with being certain that the God in whom one believes is necessarily in 100% agreement with the choice you have made.
We should do our best to use the traditions we love most to reach the conclusions we deem best. For atheists, that probably leaves religion out. Though it would be interesting to see how the wisdom found in various traditions could contribute to better politics even for those who have no interest in the supernatural beings in whom most religious people believe.
But for those who follow a particular faith, I sure hope that it helps them to think about who should be our next president. If it doesn't, I might start shopping for a new faith. I also hope we see a quick end to religious folks on both sides explaining why theirs "really reflects" the "true values" of their faith.
It seems to me that faiths rich enough to have sustained communities for hundreds, if not thousands of years, have within them footnotes to prove pretty much anything. The issue is having the commitment to make a choice and the modesty to acknowledge that others choices could have been made.
The choice should never be between "no God" and "God understood only in my way". In this election, as in life, we would all benefit from invoking a God who offers more choices and more wisdom than could ever be contained within any one candidate, any one of us or any one of our traditions
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Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
Oh, Paula Penn-Nabrit: you write such a bit....and really do not say much. As far as this president elect is concerned..he has a very bad background....and is still seeking advice from those that are truly against this country....So why should we be soooo in a hurry to vote for him....just because he is of the black race. He is very troubling in his messages and of course his associations with the so called Chicago gangs...and those of the foreign nations of Islam and Muslims...that want to come into this country, the last fronteer ..for the change to their religion You know Paula...Christianity is NOT a religion...it is reality!!! Anyone can have a religion...worship rocks, cars, anything they love more than the real GOD...He has said so much in his speachs and interviews that I really do not know why people listened to him..and not really hear him. I think they did but just didnt want to believe. So now that you all have him, do yourself and your family a .favor and really hear what this man has to say..and how he acts...He even admits that he and his wife hated the American flag and the National Athem...Now that he is prez..he wants to change all that. That is the change he wants....His way...He is a fraud.
Newbeginngs.....speaking of the man in your story...of how a man in his late years lost everything and had to continue working well past the age of 75. .You said that his employer had confidence in the man because he was honest and a Christian....BUT you said ...the man lost everything, begining a Christian, didn't help......NOW....How do you know he lost everything? The things you consider treasures are nothing but trash, compared to the treasures that are that mans'... per GOD. I believe he did not take it that way,,,,if he were a true Christian...We Christians are not sad but rejoice in knowing that our GOD will look after us...there are Christians that do not complain, you know,,,because they are happy...I was 60 years old when I started working, after raising 6 children.. for myself, and learning a business, that was very taxing..It was the type of job that took one month to learn...I did put my trust in GOD and he rewarded me greatly.and I made very good money..I became a top salesman of the company I worked for and because I wanted to be with my family, I retired when I was 70yrs old...am now 741/2 and am living a life that I enjoy...on my retirement...I was able, with God's help to buy a home for myself and am able to keep my mortgage up and anything else I want. So dont be one of those 'fox hole" believers...you know when horror striks, all of a sudden you scream for GOD to help you!!!!!! But HE will be there..tho...regardless.........now have a good day
Hello. I really do believe that Mr. Hirchfield is correct. As an agnostic, I cannot say that I believe that an all powerful god exist. Assuming that such an entity does exist and the ancient writings are true, it's unlikely such an entity would support either candidate. According to the ancient writings, when this entity supported a man as a leader the entity said so. I've been studying what the Christians refer to as The Old Testament and The New Testament for over thirty years. I suppose as an agnostic, I can study those books objectively.
Darryl Hall...You know Darryl...just a little humor....I have seen ghost and spirits.since I was a child .and I have not asked for them to come to me!! They just do..is it a nussence....I told my son what I have seen and he says " Mom, there just isn't such things, I have never seen any or heard anything like ghosts or spirits and therefore they do not exsist." and I say. "Son you believe in UFOs and he says Yes,of course." and I say, " I do not believe in ufos, because I have never seen any and it really sounds silly to me, why don't they show themselves to us and our government?... But there are those that insist they excist. (I believe in BIG_FOOT,tho)Ha When it comes to God, some will say 'Ok, where is He when one needs Him?" And I say 'have you ask for Him?" and they say "Will,if He is GOD He should know my problem" And that is true. Why should GOD just give someone anything they want or need just because they think HE should? And if it dosen't happen, denigh He exsists. When someone asks for GOD's help, it can happen, and you not be aware of it until it can be rejoiced to anyone who will listen, that a prayer has been answered.. Why dont you just set down sometime and become very quite and ask "If you are GOD, show yourself, help me to believe!" I mean for you to be sincere, and really ask Him for some answers...It is strange, but He will not always be there on demand. Just be patient. I have asked for healings on my mind and body since I was a child...and they always happen when you least expect it. They say "there are no athist in a foxhole." and maybe there are...they curse God for putting them in such a place!!! Just my comments Darryl..We all have our moments...I am not preaching....just saying what I happen to know is truth...I do not believe there are any prophets, to day...altho there are some who think they are..God is in command regardless...Now as far as His caring whether a certain canidate is better then others...I believe HE cares and is watching..and because we all have free will, He will not interefer.. So for all of those that are saying this man who became our new prez...is because GOD ordained it...I do not believe it...mainely because there were so much fraud and false voting.and the mans background was so bad...The people got what they wanted by doing it themselves!!!! Just like the people that asked God for a king,so they would be like all the other peoples at that time...So GOD gave them a king...even tho He said He was their KING. And the people suffered, God had ordained a youth, he had his eye, named David. But then again, because David was a man, he was not perfect either. I think if we all pray for this country to not be destroyed by those that are enemies of our God...He would do something about that. But only for a while,,,,,because there is so much evil in this world.....Pray for yourself also Darryl.GOD knows YOU exsist.He loves those that seek His word for answers.. GOD bless us all.
Unfortunately in a fallen world, people get hurt, even innocent babies, and soliders. I don't agree with abortion, yet I don't agree with oppressing the poor, war has always been, and will always be to some degree. I beleive God gives us each day to decided whom we will serve, also to choose between blessings and cures,short and long terms decisions. I also beleive for those whom truly believe in God, their good outweighs their bad characteristics, and their righteouness is not of themselves. Even thou, some peoples light shine alot brighter than others and a nominee for president can reflect either side of the matter.
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