Op/Ed

Religion in politics

A Column by Karen Henslee

     It is with some hesitation I write this column, as it takes on the two issues sure to fuel the fires of passion.
     Religion and politics.
     There are very few things that can cause division between even the closest of families and friends.
     That doesn’t give excuse enough to bypass or sidestep the issue, though.
     Throughout election times, whether national, state, or even local politics, it is becoming increasingly apparent these two issues are intertwined, no matter how many times we hear the adamant and sometimes militant shouts of, “keep church and state separate!”
     And, while I do not have the actual documentation in front of me, my memory of history class reminds me that the object of the Supreme Court ruling was not to remove the freedom to practice our own religious faith, but instead to keep the government from forcing a specific religion upon its citizens.
     Perhaps it is because I come from a family with a rich religious heritage - both my mother’s side and my father’s side take their faith very seriously. My great-grandmother was one of the founding members of Goldendale’s Assembly of God Church, which celebrated their 75th anniversary last year.
     Last week, the two presidential candidates were interviewed by the pastor of a large evangelical church in California. I saw the announcement on more than one news station, but none of them told viewers where they could tune in to see it.
     It was, very simply, an interview in front of the congregation in which specific personal questions were asked regarding their beliefs, their faith, and controversial issues like abortion and gay rights.
     It was following these interviews that the shouts of separation of church and state began to reverberate across the airwaves. And it made me wonder why people seem to think it is even possible to keep them separate.
     A person’s faith is a very personal part of who they are. If it isn’t, then it really is no faith at all, but simply a “religion”, or something they do “religiously.”
     Of course it will affect their decisions. How can it not?
     Our faith, whatever it may be, is a part of our deepest being. It helps define who we are and how we deal with issues and events in our lives, both good and bad.
     And it is important, even vital, to know as much about the beliefs and faith of those who will be in authority over us... how will they react in the event of a national (or local) emergency. What do they base their decisions on?
     Taking a stand, saying they have a faith in God, but at the same time, saying they don’t let their religion interfere with their job, would be like saying your spouse is very important to you, but choose to ignore them in important matters.
     Well, are they relevant or not?
     Separation of politics and religion? Maybe. But certainly not of politicians and their religion.