A recent poll by Pew has noted that both Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani, the front runners of their respective party's nomination for the presidency, are both considered the least religious of all the presidential candidates. The same poll, mentioned in an AP report, also noted that 7 out of 10 of the people polled believe it is vital that a president have strong religious beliefs.
The politics of religion played a tremendous role in the shaping of politics over the last 30 years. Jimmy Carter rose to prominence on the campaign trail as people considered him a moral man based on his being a born again Christian. The Reagan Revolution was propelled in great part to Reagan's affiliation with the Evangelicals. Similarly, to great extent, George Bush is in the White House today thanks to the support of him by a significant majority of the 70 million Evangelical Christians in the United States.
Thus, it becomes curious that the front runners for the Democratic and Republican ticket would both be the two are considered the least religious although, quite honestly, public perception is not necessarily what is accurate. Only Clinton and Giuliani truly know what their own personal faith is, but in a nation were religion plays a central role in the identity of its people, how a leader practices his or her faith will always be a central issue.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. I completely agree that Guiliani is the least religious, but I believe Clinton is very religious, maybe the most religious candidate. I've seen her speak about the difficulties she faced during the Lewinsky scandal & how the only way she got through it was because of her faith.
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Patrick at 7:38AM on Sep 7th 2007
2. If Hillary is the least religious with all her faith, it must be a pretty Godly group.
Steve Bonomo at 11:36AM on Sep 7th 2007
3. There is, after all, supposed to be a "separation of Church and State". I think one's personal religious and/or spiritual pursuits should be private. I don't believe it to be relevant or any of my business.
You made a really good point with the "public perception" comment.
Mr. Clark
Mr. Clark at 12:27PM on Sep 7th 2007
4. "By their fruit you shall know them." When the fruit seen is all bad (Hillary) we have the general idea. And YES it should concern us all when it comes to an important office seeker.
Larry at 2:23PM on Sep 7th 2007
5. Why is this an issue for people? There was a time in politics when faith was a private matter. I beleive faith is still a private matter to most reasonable folks, except for the Pat Robertson crowd, who seems to want to proseltyze to the rest of us.
Most folks want a president to run the country, not a preacher.
Candidates trying to "out God" one another is just flat out ridiculous and pandering.
David S. at 4:03PM on Sep 7th 2007
6. George W Bush only wants you to think he is a christian, actions are louder than words and his actions prove just the opposite. I worked nationally on the 2000 and 2004 elections and I can say for sure George Bush did not win either.
fell654 at 6:33PM on Sep 7th 2007
7. Women out number men by at least six to one, and it's time for a woman President! Hillary Clinton is a very intelligent attorney/senator/First Lady. Who has more experience than she for the office of President! Don't forget her partner; former President, Bill Clinton had this country in the "black" with excess of Billions! Ladies it's time for us to unite and vote-in Hillary Clinton for President of the United States!! I have no affilation with any political group.
lane at 4:32PM on Sep 18th 2007
8. Question to 3rd entry: Would it be ok if a Muslim or Islamist were elected?
lynne at 8:01PM on Sep 7th 2007
9. Response to #8:
Lynne,
It is still none of my business. Perhaps we look for different things in whom we choose as President of the United States. I do not believe my opinion to be better or worse than anyone else's...nor do I believe I am better or worse than anyone else. I guess that is why we each get one vote. I do not hate one religion over another or think one is the only way. I do believe we are all on a spiritual journey whether we realize it or not.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Mr. Clark
Mr. Clark at 10:49AM on Sep 8th 2007
10. i think this falls under...this is news HOW?...who cares?..if you are religious fine, if any of these candidates are religious fine, its none of our business...last few elections all it took is for someone to claim they were christians and conservative, and forgive me, quite a few of you flocked like the sheep you are...and the resultS?...certainly nothing that any religious persons beliefs could be proud of
Doug Day at 10:04PM on Sep 8th 2007
11. Well said, Mr. Clark. A smart response to a subtext-loaded question.
Stuart at 7:42PM on Sep 8th 2007
12. As long as they don't force their religion onto the public and it doesn't effect their ability as a president, their religion doesn't matter.
David at 1:11AM on Sep 9th 2007
13. Mr. Clark,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am so sick and tired of having religious beliefs shoved down my throat every 5 seconds. I'm so tired of my local government telling me that I can't do certain things on Sundays, because these days are of course the day of rest/sabbath to some. Why does government insist on endorsing Christian beliefs? Why can we not keep these beliefs to ourselves? Why do we swear on a bible in court, and finally, why does our money say in God we trust? ***as a side note, swearing on the bible in court has ALWAYS baffled me, because if criminals actually comitted the offending crime, then what makes anyone think that they'd be concerned with lieing under oath with God as a witness. Give me a break!
Ariella at 12:50PM on Sep 9th 2007
14. A president needs to have faith in God. How else will we control all the immoral acts in this country. We are all using this stable "It's a free country isn't it". Yes it is the most free country in the world but it is being sought for destruction by those who believe our way of life is immoral. We have to have a president who will fight against gay marriages,abortionist, and clean this sick country up, also side with police to help make cities safer. People need to grow up, take responsiblity for your actions. NOW!
chuck pierce at 3:13PM on Sep 9th 2007
15. Religion does matter. If these candidates really are as religious as some of their supporters say, then their religious viewpoint will affect everything they do. That's what makes is important. If it doens't affect how they would run the country, then they aren't really religious at all. If these people really wanted everything they believed in to be kept so personal, they wouldn't be running for president. They should be able to stand behind their beliefs and not have to hide. This isn't about converting anyone.
to comment #3: Separation of church and state means that the government cannot promote one religion over another. This really doesn't apply to those who want to know that the one they vote for isn't going to promote things that these voters just cannot support. I know that because of some of the things Hillary beives in, I would not fell right about supporting her. I'm not going to say that those who do are "wrong," but at the same time I don't want to be accused or put down because I want to find the best candidate to represent me in the White House for the next 4 years. Just because religion isn't important to you does not mean that it can't be important to anyone else or that it isnot important at all.
jean at 12:01PM on Sep 11th 2007