by Mark Silva
In a regrettable campaign for “pastor-in-chief,’’ the Interfaith Alliance has come up with a reveiew of the “unholy use of religion in the presidential campaign.'' As in any good review, they have a Top 10 list – topped by Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama.
“As the presidential primary season winds down,’’ the organization notes, “the ten worst abuses of religion during the campaign so far’’ highlight the “disproportionate role religion has played during the primary season, with candidates and the media shouldering the responsibility.
“Unfortunately, the list could easily go on beyond 10, and is likely to expand as the general election gets under way,’’ the group notes. “Just this week, a photo of Senator Obama in traditional Somali garb was leaked to the media withthe clear intent to portray him as a Muslim, and in the process disenfranchise an entire religious community in this country.
"I have witnessed more abuses of religion in this primary season than in any election in recent memory,’’ said the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, a Baptist minister and president of the Interfaith Alliance. “Incidents like these demean the sanctity of religion by inferring that God has endorsed a certain candidate. Far be it for candidates to run for 'Commander-in-Chief' instead of 'Pastor-in-Chief.'"
The top four contenders in both political parties placed high on the list, with the top two spots going to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's call to amend the Constitution to fit "God's standards" and Sen. Barack Obama's call for help to "become an instrument of God."
And the Top 10 are…
No. 10. Mitt Romney is asked if he believes "every word" of the Bible (CNN/You Tube debate (11-28-07).
No. 9 . CNN's Soledad O'Brien asks John Edwards to "name his greatest sin" (CNN/Sojourners town hall 6-26-07).
No. 8. James Dobson tells a reporter he does not think that Fred Thompson is a Christian (3-27-07).
No. 7. Barack Obama distributes a campaign flier describing himself as a "Committed Christian" (1-21-08).
No. 6. Hillary Clinton said we need to "inject faith into policy" (CNN/Sojourners town hall 6-26-07).
No 5. Mike Huckabee explains his rise in the polls by invoking the Biblical story of two fish and five loaves feeding a crowd of 5,000 people (11-28-07).
No. 4. Tim Russert asks all the Democratic candidates to "name their favorite Bible verse" (MSNBC 9-26-07).
No. 3. John McCain says the Constitution established the United States as a Christian nation and that he would prefer a Christian president (9-27-07).
No. 2. Barack Obama asked a congregation to help him "become an instrument of God" and join him in creating "a Kingdom right here on Earth" (10-17-07).
No. 1. Mike Huckabee tells a crowd: "What we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards" (1-14-08).
The Interfaith Alliance is a nonpartisan organization "dedicated to promoting the positive and healing role of religion in the life of the nation and challenging those who manipulate religion to promote a narrow, divisive agenda." It claims more than 185,000 members drawn from more than 75 faith traditions and 47 local activist groups throughout America/
• 
• 
• 
Comments
"IRS SPEAKS"
HAS GOD TOUCHED YOU. WE SAID HAS GOD TOUCHED YOU.
"WELL HE IS NOW"
SO IF YOU MUST PREACH, PLEASE MAKE SURE IT IS OUTSIDE YOUR NEAREST "CHURCH'S CHICKEN" AS WE LOVE OUR CHICKEN WITHOUT THE SKIN, DIED, FRIED AND LAYED TO SIDE.
I SAID HAS GOD TOUCHED YOU.
"WELL HE IS NOW"
Posted by: Roger Morris | February 27, 2008 4:30 PM
The "Interfaith Alliance" is a liberal group (what other kind of group would reporter Mark Silva quote?) which "has been a firm advocate of progressive and liberal streams within the traditions of different faiths." (Wikipedia)
And even they find fault with Obama, the nation's most Liberal senator!
Posted by: Edward R. Murrow | February 27, 2008 5:41 PM
"No 5. Mike Huckabee explains his rise in the polls by invoking the Biblical story of two fish and five loaves feeding a crowd of 5,000 people (11-28-07)."
This is an odd one for a conservative. It smacks of socialism, though I know the right right right wing considers Huck a tax and spend liberal.
Anywho, it seems Jesus fed the folks for a day when according to trickle down theory you should teach the man to fish so he can feed himself every day.
Also, something no one has tried to explain to me, though I have pointed it out before; How, in 2000, could Bush claim that Jesus was a philosopher without being challenged by the loopy fundy folks? Philosophy is a man devised conceit, whereas Jesus, according to them, is the son of God. No philosophy about it.
Posted by: C.Morris | February 27, 2008 5:51 PM
I was wondering why I don't read the Swamp much any more.
Then I read Roger Morris's comment and was reminded.
Where's the screening for "relevance to the topic" ballyhooed above?
Posted by: DaveB | February 27, 2008 6:01 PM
OK David B, you are unhappy with Roger.
So address my posit; Is it correct to call Jesus a philosopher?
Posted by: C.Morris | February 27, 2008 9:05 PM
C., not being particularly churchly, I haven't the faintest idea.
Posted by: DaveB | February 27, 2008 9:54 PM
Me neither. Just trying to gin up some action.
Posted by: C.Morris | February 27, 2008 10:01 PM
Nothing surprising here. Huck and Obama love to play to the churchy crowd.
Posted by: Jeff | February 27, 2008 11:12 PM
As a Christian, I don't believe politicians ought to try to claim or even imply they are God's hand-picked candidate for President or any other office. Churches should be used to preach Christ and Him crucified--NOT for political events.
Posted by: Phillip | February 28, 2008 2:10 AM
JFK hit the nail on the head with this speech. Especially that first paragraph.
And I am a Catholic, as well.
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/40/story_4080_1.html
Posted by: Steve34 | February 28, 2008 7:54 AM
I've often heard those of you on the left making very negative remarks about Bush's faith. There seems to be a huge concern about separation of church and state, turning the US into a theocracy, blah blah blah just because Bush claims to be a Christian. So how do you all feel about Obama's comment that he is a "Committed Christian?" If you are consistent in your thinking then you should be just as concerned about Obama as you have been about Bush. I'm surprised I haven't heard the same hysteria about Obama. Although, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, because you lefties never complain when it's your guy doing it...
Posted by: no name | February 28, 2008 8:14 AM
It has concerned me for years that a country that professes itself to have a seperation of church and state (you will find that very line forever emblazoned in the Constitution) has allowed so many ministers, especially of the non-denominational persuasion, to gain so much power over our politicians and politics. There was a reason that those far sighted men in the Continental Congress put that separation in the Constitution. They felt it best to leave religion to the individual for it is the individual who must answer to God come Judgement Day. Yet, the people have allowed a few to pervert the Great Experiment so freely. Now we have reached a time when men and women so seek power for their own devises that they dare to claim themselves the rightful heir to Jesus, that they are "chosen" by God. These are the very people we should most fear! Remember the Ayatollah in Iran? A religious man who took control and imposed his believes on others because he felt it was what he had to do! God has given man the freedom of chioice. He guides us with the Bible, but we make our own bed. Unfortunately, we will soon be lying in the bed made and spoiled by the false prophets. We fear the Apocolyse, yet we are hastening it by allowing others to think for us. BEWARE, the time is fast approaching!
Posted by: Paul | February 28, 2008 9:31 AM
I am not a big churchgoer either, however, #2 creeps me out. Is it true that on 10-17-07 Obama wanted a congregation to join him in "creating a kingdom right here on earth"? Last I knew--in my limited knowledge--God is the one to create the kingdom to come, not man. Or, was BHO being ambiguous? Is BHO putting himself out there as some sort of deity? I would reject that. That's creepy, and I don't need or want Obama to save me--in ANY way. I like Phillip's comment--that JC was not crucified for political events. I wish Huck understood this. And Bush--saying he thought God wanted him to be prez? Lots of death, loss and suffering have happened under W. Bush. Perhaps we will have the best administration under the one who professes the least.
Posted by: Vivian | February 28, 2008 11:46 AM
Paul:
Show me, please, where in the Constitution the very line "Separation of Church and State" is emblazoned.
Here is a hint: You can't, because it's not there.
Mark: I don't think ANYONE made an attempt to "disenfranchise" Muslims.
To disenfranchise is to deny the right to vote. A picture of Obama in mufti is not the same as siccing dogs on voters.
Other than that-good article, timely and mostly on topic!
Posted by: Kevin | February 28, 2008 12:27 PM
Pardon me Kevin for not giving you exact quotes. Allow me to correct this for you.
"...but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
Article VI, US Constitution
Now, if you didn't have your head so far up your bottom side and took the time to read the entire message for its content, perhaps you could have understood what was intended. Then again, to expect that from people like you!
Posted by: Paul | February 28, 2008 4:15 PM