By
Laura Helm
It is wonderful that the world of politics is opening itself up to more diversity. However, as a calculated campaign tactic, the gesture is tainted. The political drama of the presidential campaign is using the mask of religion to further an image while blurring the distinction between church and state.
Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore is joining the ranks of Mike Tyson and others. These people have used religion to clear their names. The device has been used by public-relations groups in every corner of the public's perception. It is blatantly clear that Gore picked Joseph Lieberman as his running mate for one reason. It was an attempt to differentiate himself from the unscrupulous personal life of President Clinton. The religious themes create an image of piety for the "morally stained" Democratic party.
Lieberman has been touring the nation on his campaign trail. He is known more for his particular faith than for his particular policy. The candidate keeps his religion at the forefront of every speech and also the presentation of a morally righteous image. Al Gore said of Lieberman, "He also believes as I do in the separation between church and state." However, the separation is blurred as Lieberman continues to keep religious themes in the center of his platform, for the campaign trail is directly related to the operations of the state.
Lieberman was asked to curb his discussion of his faith by the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL is a Jewish organization that fights anti-Semitism. The national chairman and director of the group wrote a letter to the vice-presidential nominee. The letter said that mixing politics and religion is "inappropriate and even unsettling" in the context of today's multi-faceted society. They urged that "appealing along religious lines, or belief in God, is contrary to the American ideal." Their statement reflects the fears of those that respect the division between the church and state.
The first Jewish vice-presidential nominee should not run on the basis of his religion, even if that is why he was chosen. The campaign trail is not a pulpit and morals are no longer based solely on religion. Lieberman said, "There must be a place for faith in America's public life." The statement goes against all that the separation of church and state achieved. This country is the greatest place in the world to have a faith. Here you can freely attend any place of worship to congregate and praise at your will. Churches, synagogues, and mosques are just a few of the sites open to those who will enter. These are the public realms of religion.
As a representative of the people, Lieberman falls short when he stresses his personal faith that is applicable to many, but not to all. Lieberman has the right to talk about his beliefs.
By forcing singular beliefs into the public realm, many are left out. Those who do not share the religious views are not included. This goes against everything America stands for. The beauty of this system of government is the ability to have a private realm. In this allowance, one can practice his or her own tenets without the intrusion of the beliefs of others.
George W. Bush and his running mate, Dick Cheney, have followed suit and brought religion into the front lines of their campaign as well. The Republican vice-presidential nominee spoke to a group of students on the importance of "character" education in the schools. Later, responding to criticisms, he said that children need to learn acceptance and tolerance "as Christ taught." He is talking about our schools. Bringing Christian morality back into schools, even without prayer, is reuniting the church and the state.
Our country was founded on the Christian faith. Slavery was practiced and women could not vote. Two centuries later, times have changed. All are free voters, and the church and state are separate. They are blurring the lines between church and state. It is a regressive act. But more than this, disrespecting individual rights in this way is just un-American.
