Religion and Politics Forum

I was happy to see this forum take place, though I only had time to watch a portion of it as it played. (I must note also that I am resistant to watching major political debates this far from the election.)

The major reason is simply that there have always been many more people of faith, and even of Christian faith, than are represented by the “religious right.” This forum shows that there are more people out there interested in faith issues or part of a faith community than those conservative Christians who are also conservative Republicans. I would hope at the same time that we express issues in the public forum from the broadest possible foundation, so that they can communicate with people of many faiths or those who are not believers.

I am motivated to love my neighbor from within my faith in Christ. I want to keep the royal law to love my neighbor. I can express the policies that I support in many ways. When I communicate with those in my community I may speak in one way. When I address those outside, I may speak another way. When I write on this blog, I realize that there will not only be Christians who will read it, but a variety of folks who are not Christians. Public debate needs to be open to all those options.

I’m not going to be afraid to express my faith, but at the same time I believe that if the policies I derive from my faith are also for the common good, I should be able to express the reasons why they are for the common good.

In the meantime, such forums as this, and programs such as ONE Vote 08 will help demonstrate that not all religious voters have the same beliefs, no matter what many in the media appear to believe.