Separation of Church and State

Courting Religious Endorsement; is it exactly safe in this day and time?

With several pressing issues (both foreign and domestic) that come to mind during the current election, none are as ambiguous as how the candidates continue to flirt with certain religious interests. With America's foreign policy rating next to nil, how could either candidate see brilliance in courting any single faith based endorsement while possibly alienating others? Both candidates have their own personal and party platform issues that become turn off's to the different religious factions. Obama has three major issues that really come to the forefront; He is entangled in the false rumor that he is a Muslim, he has been complicated by the effects of his association with his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., and he faces significant hurdles in appealing to religious voters because of his tolerance for abortion and same-sex marriage. McCain on the other hand has quite a few issues of his own; in 2000 he severely criticized Evangelical leaders as "agents of intolerance", he runs the risk of polarizing the political middle and independents by campaigning too heavy as a religious conservative and he alienates Muslims with his ties to Israel. Obama seems to appeal more to Catholics and is slowly gaining ground amongst evangelicals, and McCain is carrying a huge popularity among Protestants. With that being said, the need to "divide and conquer, isolate and demonize the opposition", seems to be a weak strategy being carried out on the behalf of both parties, especially during a time when unity and patriotism for this country is paramount.

So, yesterday's "Show Down at Saddleback" had both candidates posturing for the evangelical vote, Obama, admitting to certain moral failures during his youth and McCain citing a spirit of forgiveness during his incarceration as a wartime hostage. Both candidates have been guilty of dividing individual issues and trying to obliterate the other in such closed space. Some would argue that this is a poor way to unite the country or the world, much less their respective political bases. American foreign policy has seemed to mimic the cultural and religious outlooks of its allies. Simply said, we partner with Israel then we automatically become de facto enemies of Muslims. The next President of the United States needs to become more of a brand manager than a dictator. Brand America and its apparent "Change We Can Believe In", slogan needs some real legs to stand on.

Evangelicals represented a quarter of the vote in 2004. I think it makes more since to unite them on the issues than to possibly polarize them by disingenuous courting. Jews only represent 1% of the electorate but hold their power in campaign financing and political influence. Whether we like it or not, there is a growing non Arabic Muslim presence in this country and they are not fanatics. We need to find some way to not just tolerate but include the voice of Muslim without political or religious prejudice.

Putin is still in POWER.

Don't Be An Idiot!!!!

Cleopheus Williams

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