There's a lot being made on the web about Fred Thompson and his church-going habits. Here's how he describes it:
Republican presidential contender Fred Thompson, who has based his campaign on appealing to conservative voters, said he isn't a regular churchgoer and doesn't plan to speak about his religion on the stump.
...``I attend church when I'm in Tennessee. I'm in McLean right now,'' he said referring to the Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., where he lives. ``I don't attend regularly when I'm up there.''
Thompson said he usually attends church when visiting his mother in Tennessee and isn't a member of any church in the Washington area.
The media is writing it up as some kind of detriment to his candidacy in the South when in fact, it's not a detriment anywhere.
The biggest misconception in the media and with liberals is that a candidate has to win over the "leaders" on the religious right to stand a chance and anyone who pays attentions knows it's a lie. They are a bloc of voters who will vote on the candidate who most agrees with their views, period. Why does the MSM always feel they have to lump groups together such as the "black vote" or the "Hispanic vote"? I've never heard of the "white vote" voting as a bloc. I know for a fact that unions members don't vote exclusively Democrat because many have told me so. They may wave the banner but when they -- just like all people -- get in the booth and the curtain closes don't hit the button for Dems every time, I suspect the same can be said of Christian voters. Liberals are another story entirely but I digress.
This is an interesting course chosen by Thompson, he says he attends church while at home but eschews attending while away. Maybe he feels comfortable attending church in Tennessee and hasn't found a church in Virginia that appeals to him or maybe he's taken the same tack I have. I'm an Episcopalian and my wife is Jewish. We decided we'll teach our kids right and wrong and the Golden Rule. When Fred says he learned "sitting around the kitchen table", I can relate to that. Essentially what he means is his religious belief (or lack of) is his business only, as it should be. He's saying that parents should teach their kids good morals and that a church doesn't have a conduit to God's ears. I've been scolded by church-going Christians who are shocked that I don't attend church regularly and the when I mention that the Good Lord hears those who speak from home as well as those sitting in the pews, the look at me as if I have ten heads and they're all spinning like Regan in the Exorcist. That's a reason I only go to church on Christmas, Easter, weddings and funerals, the whole organized religion thing doesn't appeal heavily to me as it does to others. I'm not wrong and they're not wrong, in fact, we're both right. Just as atheists are right and Buddhists, etc.
I'm expanding on what David wrote earlier about Fred not wearing his religion on his sleeve. As a Conservative and a Republican, I always hated to see candidates make a pilgrimage to meet the big religious leaders of the day such as Pat Robertson and other TV preachers just as I found it distasteful that Bill Clinton sought "spiritual guidance" from serial womanizer Jesse Jackson when the Monica thing broke wide open. It seems as though politicians use religion instead of keeping your religious beliefs to themselves.
When George W. Bush played up the religion angle in 2000, it just stiffened my resolve in support of John McCain. Had McCain run a better campaign, he would have won the nomination and most-likely would have beat Al Gore by more than Bush did. I agree with David (a rare occurrence that) in his assessment that it's refreshing to not see a politician using religion for political gain.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. I agree, religion should not be used for political gain, yet that does not excuse the political aspect of this. There are, believe it or not, a large group of conservative voters who want a strict-religious church-goer type candidate. Good for Fred for not pandering to them, but at the same time, it could hurt his campaign where its the strongest------the South.
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Patrick at 9:15PM on Sep 12th 2007
2. Just keep on perpetuating a weak myth, Patty Boy.
The demographic of the South is much different than it was only seven-years ago.
A question: have you ever been to the South? Have you met the people? Funny, some of the most religious folks there are African-American Baptists.
As for you previous comment that "liberal" has been made into a bad word, did you libs not do the same to Christian?
Scott at 9:55PM on Sep 12th 2007
3. You are absolutely right! Anyone can talk to the Lord from anywhere. Church attendence isn't what makes a person one of God's people. Or even makes a Christian as far as that goes. Patten was said to be known to pray before, during, and after battles, even as he was marching his troops towards Berlin. If history is an indicator he was heard too. We need leaders that are heard and answered. So it is important to know somewhat where they at least believe they stand. But, the bottom line for the voter is to seek Gods leading when voting. Somewhat based on what they have heard and seen. As a Christian my relationship with the Lord is very personal. But I will express it when asked. Just assuming here you'd ask me if you knew me. As for Bush and Iraq? History repeats,"Nothing new under the sun-----" Daniel prayed about the Persians abuse of his people: the Angel of the Lord came saying his prayer had been heard and ".I'm going now to bring the prince of the west to fight the prince of Persia."(para) Alexander,The Great was sent by the God of Abraham,Issac and Jacob. Of course we know the result then. That Empire was destroyed even till this day. Now they seek a come back. We may very well be exactly where we're needed right now and longer if necessary. Even if a few mistakes are made on the way we must stay the course. Encludes Iran, as well, if they want to force it. When God called Abraham out of Ur (southern Iraq) this battle was already formed. At no time in our history have we needed God's leading more than now. Let us pray for our leaders!
Larry at 2:09AM on Sep 13th 2007
4. WE ARE OK WITH FRED'S RELIGION, WE'RE NOT ELECTING HIM AS OUR PASTOR!
MANY Military Veterans are signing up for Fred at:
http://Vets4Fred.net
They are saying things like "I would follow this guy into the Gates of Hell if he needed me. Go Fred!...."
opditch at 7:06AM on Sep 13th 2007
5. you never heard of "the white vote" as a bloc. You're kidding right?
Go re-analyze the racist, majority-rule, concept that has won racist-Whitefolk, what? 43 of the last 43 Presidency's.
this blog is a joke...long live the stealthy, White, racist!
yungCaucasoid at 5:29AM on Sep 14th 2007
6. I agree. I hope Thompson does not cave in and call on the typical televangelists so he can pander to the hard line religious right. These folks do not - and will never - speak for the majority of even the Republican party, much less everyone else.
The truth is the Republican party has ridden this gravy train as far as it is going to take them. With moderates like Giuliani running for the GOP nomination, getting up on the high horse about morality and family values does not ring true anymore (not that it ever did).
David S. at 11:46AM on Sep 13th 2007
7. I am sick to death of politicians using religion to further their popularity. Deep down I question the sincerity of those who talk of their deep faith. Nixon claimed to be a very religious man. So did Clinton. Did their deep faith keep them from doing things that were wrong and then lying about it? I'd rather have someone be honest,even if it doesn't sit well with others, about how often they attend church--but why should they even have to answer that question anyway? They are not running for the Papacy--they are executives.
MaggieD at 2:33PM on Sep 13th 2007
8. Attending Church meetings and services is and should be a very important part of any candidates personal life.If you don't have spiritual strength as President and as a leader you will not make the right decision.There is a difference between making a decision and making the right one.One that satisfy both side of the isle Democrats and Republicans and have the support of the whole Country not just one Party.The candidate I can see with that kind of spiritual strength,desire and abilities is Governor Mitt Romney of the GOP.
Realities at 1:43AM on Sep 14th 2007
9. The religious right need not worry. Fred Thompson is not going to win the nomination. He is a media fabrication, the republican Barack Obama of the moment. What the media giveth the media can taketh away. Watch how they treat him after he makes his first "gaffe".
randy at 9:03AM on Sep 14th 2007
10. Thomson,Giuliani and McCain are the three dangerous GOP candidates.Go figure it out but something weird about these three that makes anyone nervous.How much faith in God they posses is a million dollar question.In God We Trust is a reminder to this Nation that a person of much FAITH is who we need to sit at the highest Office in the Land.We do not need a Hero,a Hawkish or an Actor.
KaM at 1:36PM on Sep 14th 2007
11. Way to go Fred, be honest. You will get my vote.
Marvin at 11:32AM on Sep 15th 2007
12. Actually, I care whether he attends church or not. Someone who is not a person of faith or doesn't care about his faith enough to attend church won't get my vote. If you can't give priority to the most important thing in the universe, I don't see how you can lead my country.
Marcus at 8:58AM on Sep 26th 2007
13. THATS TYPICAL............LOOK @ THIS PATTERN
ITS ALRIGHT THIS TIME.... EVANGELS....????
COME ON ...........FLIP FLOPPERS
WHAT A SHAME..........THATS HOW IT IS WHEN YOUR DESPERATE
peter panella at 12:42PM on Nov 20th 2007
14. WHAT HAPPEN TO THE LAST SURVEY.........
LIKE THE LAST ELECTION
YOU SAID REPUBLICANS ATTEND CHURCH MORE THAN DEMOCRATS
NOW WE KNOW YHE TRUE STORY....MMMMM
YOU REPUBLICANS ARE GOOD PEOPLE JUST WIERD.......
YOUR VALUES JUST AS CONFUSED AS THE WEATHER
peter panella at 12:45PM on Nov 20th 2007