While faith in the 2008 presidential race has taken on a large role, a new survey reveals that candidates don't necessarily have to be seen as religious to gain wide support from voters.
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(Photo: AP Images / Jim Mone)Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani stands on a chair to address supporters during an appearance at the Parkview Cafe Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007, in St. Paul, Minn.
In a Pew Forum survey released Thursday, presidential candidates viewed by voters as the least religious are the current frontrunners for the Democratic and Republican nominations, according to the report.
Only 16 percent and 14 percent of the American public views Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republican Rudy Giuliani as "very religious," respectively. Other contenders in both parties were viewed as more religious than the leading presidential hopefuls.
The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life notes that most Americans continue to say it is important for a president to have strong religious beliefs as in the past. However, the latest survey finds that "candidates for the White House need not be seen as very religious to be broadly acceptable to the voting public."
Moreover, Democrats John Edwards and Barack Obama are more likely to be viewed as very religious than any other leading Republican candidate, except Mitt Romney.
The survey finds that 24 percent view Obama as very religious and 28 percent say the same about Edwards. Meanwhile, fewer than one in five say Republicans Fred Thompson (16 percent), who just recently announced his candidacy for president, and John McCain (19 percent) are very religious. Most, however, see the Republican candidates as at least somewhat religious.
Romney is most likely to be seen as very religious compared to all the leading candidates, but his Mormon faith has many voters holding back support.
More people express reservations about voting for a Mormon (25 percent) than about supporting a candidate who is an evangelical Christian (16 percent), a Jew (11 percent) or a Catholic (7 percent).
Also, roughly six in ten Americans (61 percent) say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who does not believe in God, while 45 percent say they would be reluctant to vote for a Muslim.
The survey further shows that views of a candidate's religiosity are linked with overall views.
Those who perceive a candidate as being very religious tend to express the most favorable overall views of each candidate, according to the Pew survey.
Among those who describe Giuliani as being very religious, 76 percent express a favorable view of him. Among those who say Giuliani is not too or not at all religious, by contrast, just 43 percent say they hold a favorable view.
Similarly, 87 percent of those who describe Clinton as very religious express a favorable view of her. Among those who say she is not too or not at all religious, just 22 percent express a positive view.
Overall, the majority (69 percent) of Americans agree that it is important for a president to have strong religious beliefs. At the same time, 43 percent say that it makes them uncomfortable when politicians talk about how religious they are.
When it comes to churches endorsing presidential candidates, most Americans (63 percent) are opposed to it. Even among conservative Republicans, 52 percent express opposition.
Findings are based on an Aug. 1-18 national survey of 3,002 adults, 18 years of age or older.
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Pastor Leo is exactly right. I personally know people who profess to be Christians, yet they vote for candidates with views far different from their own. We do not cease to be Christians when we walk into a voting booth. We need to vote for candidates that share our Christian values, instead of voting the "party line".
I do agree with Pastor Leo though. I cannot begin to imagine anyone voting for someone who is pro-gay marriage or pro-choice. I just believe there has been to much emphasis on a candidate somehow furthering the cause of Christ.
Jesse
jesserolandministries.tripod.com
I know this will come across as bombastic but does it matter? Bush is a Christian and I have no doubt a sincere one but he has been absolutely inept as a President. We have made to much of this. The church needs to get back to being concerned with the King and His Kingdom and be rapture ready. This ain't supposed to be about politics. Washington DC does not hold the key to revival for us. The end-times are rolling on and the antichrist is coming!
Amen Pastor Leo!!!
http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com/#the_message_that_we_were_born_to_hear
Guess I'm one of the 16% of Democrats who views Hillary as "Very Religious." Anyway, I'd love it if people would realize that the sort of ethics and values they want in a candidate don't have to come along with supernatural dogma. Someday...
render unto cesar what is cesars and unto God what is Gods,since these little cesars run around promising you every thing and deliver little if anything worth while,where as christians are called to a holy life living the word of God as a example to the world,that is our responcibility to each other befor God,as for what we owe cesar obey the laws of the land,respect atthoritys,do good to those who misuse you,help those who receve help,ect i for one wont lay with the Dogs-or grovel befor them,if the ones with money and power dont live a christ like life what do you think the laws will be shaped like.In whos image or likeness,---And do you supose they live for those whom they profess to serve,do the poor rule the rich,
I think the most amazing thing about these polls is that they are meaningless. People vote by party, including Christians. Christians vote by name recognition and remain within their chosen party affiliation regardless of what the candidates stand for. Somehow, they don't see voting for an abortionist candidate as a problem or someone for same sex marriage, or even an atheist as a problem affecting their Christianity. I guess they don't believe that they have any responsibility for the laws that are passed by these candidates once they are in office.
I believe that on Judgment day, God will spell out the responsibility each Christian had in voting, (or not voting at all in elections), in politicians that stood for demonic sinful principles and did everything they could to destroy the Christian foundation of America. I don't blame the amoral politicians, no; I blame the Christian Church today that continues to stand for blind acceptance of sin at every level, because they believe that Christianity needs to change in order to get people to come to Jesus. How utterly ridiculous! God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His Word, the Bible, will not change one word to accommodate sinful behavior no matter what year, or decade, it is.
Today, political candidates say they are Christians and then boldly say they stand for same sex marriages, ministers that practice homosexuality, abortion on demand, divorce and even adultery. They will even have a large so called Christian following, just because of their party affiliation. They are no more Christian than the devil. If the Christian Church in America won't clean up its leadership as well as its membership, then don't expect America to clean up its anti-Christian policies and practices.
Every Christian that is of legal age MUST vote in America. They must vote for candidates that meet God's standards not the world's standards. I do understand that it is hard to find anyone that is running for office that meets all of the Christian agenda, but at least vote for someone who meet most or some of it. The Word of God clearly tells you who to vote for. If you just do what it says, then God can and will begin to restore godliness, as well as, sanity back into our American society.
We are Christians because we follow the teaching of Jesus Christ, not because we go to church. Christianity is not a religion, but a way of life, a culture. Religions define their god(s) and bring him or them down to their level. God defines Christians and brings them up to His level. Step up to the level that God has already raised you to on Election Day. Act like Christians on Election Day and just do what the Word of God says to do!
Pastor Leo
www.wclandtm.com
we live in an ungodly world so what do you exspect?a form of Godlyness dening the power there of.christians put on the teachings of Christ live in them,Worry about nothing,work for christ and do Gods bidding, get along as best as your able. trust God, and look to christ. polotics isnt the answer.pray for them.
"By their fruits you shall know them!" C'mon, Believers, WAKE UP!!! Our rallying cry should echo what was once heard in the Colonies - No King but King Jesus!!!
The outward signs of a candidate's "religiousosity" are quite meaningless. Hopefully, most people won't be fooled by the "externals" and the talk of "faith." Even more important are the issues of character and the public policy positions which may or may not be in alignment with biblical world views. All the talk in the world about "faith" means absolutely nothing when a candidate stands entrenched in defending the right to kill unborn babies.