As we are currently in the early process of the GOP presidential nomination, it is hard not to notice how often the candidates speak about their religious views. If running for president they should be aware of our first amendment which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” This is often known as “the separation between church and state,” which is a simple way to say religion is to stay out of government and government out of religion. Of course we do have freedom of speech and are allowed to talk about our beliefs, but if the politician cannot make any laws based on religion should it even be an issue? It would be better to vote for a politician based on their records, ideas, and vision of the future for the county not because they claim to believe in the same God as the majority of the public.
America should be smart enough to know that politicians are aware the public heavily bases their vote on their religious views. When Americans vote this way it gives the politicians a way to manipulate voters by simply claiming to believe in the same God they do. This gives them instant credibility with voters and makes us feel their views are in line with ours and this takes the public’s attention away from the ideas and plans the candidate has for the country. We should not allow them to get away with this and demand they be elected based on their merits and ideas not their religion.
Fundamental Christians seem to vote based on religion because they are fearful that someone who advocates science, reason and logic is the anti-Christ, so what does that say about the candidate they are voting for? One can only guess the opposite which is anti-science, unreasonable, and illogical, otherwise what makes the voter so sure their candidate is not the anti-Christ? If those who want the end of the world to happen than they should vote for the candidate that bases their decisions on science, reason, and logic. If that is what the anti-Christ will promote then it will mean Christ will come back that much sooner, which is something Christians all look forward to. If they are not the anti-Christ, then the country will see better leadership which will result in success and prosperity.
It is sad ancient books can instill in people fear and cause them to behave irrationally. If our default position is to cause separation and fight over which religion is correct and it turns out a god doesn’t exist, than what are we left with after all this destruction? We are left with the loss of lives for nothing, and a mess that a god will not be there to help us clean up. Our default position should be to strive and make the world a better place. For many who are religious this sounds very “worldly” and “Satan trying to deceive us,” but we all strive for this in our own homes and communities, so why not extend this throughout the country and the world? If those who truly believe their God is in control, there is no need for them to assist him. He would be perfectly capable of destroying the world so He could come back all by Himself. If everything that sounds good and logical we believe to be “Satan” trying to deceive us, we are an extremely ignorant and sad race with no hope of ever getting along on this small planet that is our home.