IN THEORY:

A recent survey by the Pew Forum and Congressional Quarterly showed that members of Congress are much more likely than the overall public to claim to belong to a religion. Only five members of the new Congress declined to give details on their religious affiliation, but it wasn’t certain whether they were atheist or agnostic. It could be largely political as a USA Today/Gallup poll in early 2007 showed it would be harder for an atheist to be elected president, as only 45% would support a non-believer candidate, compared with 55% who would vote for someone who is gay or the 88% who would support a woman. Why do you think we generally consider it so important for our politicians to be religious?

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Former President Bush invoked God in 94% of presidential addresses through the first six years of his presidency. Many would have preferred that he invoked the Constitution.

Legislative programs, executive decisions and judicial reviews should be based on reason and pragmatism, arising out of a moral core of integrity and an ethic of public service, as befits a secular democracy.

Even if the religiosity is sincere and genuine, and not just posturing and pandering for effect, there should be no reference to a Higher Power when considering whether to modify our presence in Iraq, bail out the auto industry or modify our health-care system.

As Susan Jacoby wrote: “The question is whether there are any political leaders left with the courage to appeal to voters as reasoning adults, with arguments based not on the promise of heaven but on the moral obligation of human beings to treat one another decently here on earth.”

Rabbi Mark Miller

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach

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The majority of people believe in a higher power because they want to feel some sense of order and continuity. Religions help organize these feelings into philosophical models by providing stories that explain creation, connection and hierarchy. These religious stories are important and share basic truths that assure people there is another source of information that can guide and direct basic moral behavior.

A politician, in order to get elected, must win the trust of the people, and people don’t trust politicians who don’t believe in a higher power that guides moral behavior. An atheist may have high standards, but because they lack a belief in a higher power that guides moral behavior they have a much harder time convincing the electorate they can be trusted.

The model that I teach sees the higher power inseparably connected to all of life and ready to take the form of our highest and best desires. The higher power I know is eternally animating our best sense of love, peace and joy.

If you want to know more about this model and how it works, you can go to our website at www.cmcsd.org and click on “The Basics” for a seven part video-lesson with study guides.

Pastor Jim Turrell

The Center for Spiritual Living Newport-Mesa

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Ideally, we assume that someone with a religious perspective is deeply rooted in the moral values of their tradition. Perhaps that is why society prefers elected officials who claim a religion.

We can no longer assume, however, that because someone identifies with a religious tradition it means that they also uplift the moral values of those traditions.

All major religions hold caring for the poor, extending a helping hand to a neighbor, and forgiveness as tenets of faith.

So one would expect that religious people would place a high value on reducing poverty, providing health care for all, and ensuring social services were available for all people.

Unfortunately, these values have often been traded for prosperity theologies that focus more on self than community.

I am less concerned with the religion of an elected official, and more concerned with their integrity, ethics and morality.

As a Christian, I look for leaders who are grounded, humble, committed to community, and thereby interested in the well-being of the whole regardless of religious affiliation.

I want to affirm that many agnostics and atheists share my values despite not sharing my faith.

The Rev. Sarah Halverson