The following continues the serialization of Chapter 5 on Religion from SIMPLE SOLUTIONS for Humanity:
Religion and Politics in the United States
While the United States has since its founding separated church from state, the election process is deeply influenced by religion. Clearly, the Democrats regained control of the White House and Congress because they neutralized religion in politics by using a trump car, the Iraq War. This is the simple solution and a personal opinion shaped by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life 2005 survey on the subject of religion in politics in the United States. The Pew Charitable Trusts fund the Pew Research Center, and while the Foundation was founded by Sun Oil money, sentiment is now mostly liberal. The Pew Foundation’s entire executive office is reportedly run by women. Notwithstanding, I think their survey report makes a lot sense.
From this publication, it is no surprise that 44% of the American public thinks that liberals who are not religious have too much control of the Democratic Party, while about the same percentage says that religious conservatives have too much influence over the Republican Party. About half feels that Republicans protect religious freedoms (versus 28% for Democrats) and half that Democrats protect individual freedom (versus 30% for Republicans). There is thus a definite sense: Republicans for Church, Democrats for the People. Social programs are not enough.
From this publication, it is no surprise that 44% of the American public thinks that liberals who are not religious have too much control of the Democratic Party, while about the same percentage says that religious conservatives have too much influence over the Republican Party. About half feels that Republicans protect religious freedoms (versus 28% for Democrats) and half that Democrats protect individual freedom (versus 30% for Republicans). There is thus a definite sense: Republicans for Church, Democrats for the People. Social programs are not enough.
Thus, getting elected in America, a country where, according to this survey, 78% say God created life on Earth, means you must do something about this belief gap. It would be impossible to quickly modify the family structure or teach some higher sense of reality in an educational system which seems to have no influence anyway, so how do you contend with the current public impression where 59% see Republicans as friendly to religion, with the figure for Democrats being 29%?
o Catholic 95%
o Black 94%
o Jewish 92%
o Woman 88%
o Mormon 72%
o Atheist 45%
An atheist came in last, that is, only 45% of Americans would even think about voting for an atheist. Now you know why Congressman Stark was the first member to say that he did not believe in a god.
Beliefnet, in partnership with Time magazine, has a web page featuring the God-o-Meter (www.beliefnet.com/godometer). Presidential candidates are rated, with ten being perfect (Mike Huckabee, former Baptist minister, is a 10) and Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton safely maintain a rating in the range of 8. Interestingly enough, Mit Romney now and then drops below 5 because Beliefnet seems somewhat conservative in philosophy, and I’m not sure if a Mormon meets their test. An atheist would score a 0. Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, believes in God, but not in evolution.
Read the book: How the Republicans Stole Christmas. The author, Bill Press, says that Democrats are uncomfortable talking about God. Plus, Republicans simply ask, do you want to stop abortion and gay marriage? Most Americans do. They vote Republican. They voted for George W. Bush. Democrats might ask, picture God, or Jesus. Would he be a caring liberal Democrat or a grabbing Republican ultra conservative? There surely must be a marketing plan being refined on this theme, as the Iraq War is soon to be over.
There are 6 to 7 million Muslims living in the U.S. There are 535 members in the U.S. Congress. One is now a Muslim, and he was only recently elected. (The number was recently doubled, as Andre Carson of Indiana was elected to Congress in 2008, complementing Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota. Both are Democrats.) On a per capita basis, this number should be around 10 members. The problem, of course, is that Muslims tend to be scattered across the Nation and have not yet attained any critical voting mass status. Ethnicity and religion are dominant factors in the election process.
The 2008 presidential elections provide an apt platform for diversity. All Republican candidates are White, Christian and male, even Mormon Mitt Romney. The Democrats have a rare gender (female) and ethnic (Black-White and Spanish) mix. The U.S. has never had a female nor black president. One of these two will most likely become the next President of the United States of America. But no avowed atheists have been announced, although in an early debate, three Republican hopefuls admitted that they don’t believe in evolution: Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas, Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and Representative Tom Tancredo of Colorado. Frighteningly, from my perspective, there was potential for one of these politicians to lead the country.
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There remain, apparently, one storm in the Atlantic and three in the Pacific. Tropical Storm Blas, instead of weakening, strengthened to 65 MPH and is continuing to move West towards Hawaii. All indications, though, hint of dissipation. But Tropical Storm Celia, also heading West, is on the heels of Blas, and should attain hurricane status tomorrow!
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