Volconvo is a debate forum for the discussion of political, religious, and news-based topics.

Arawn-ap-Hywel · Mar 4, 2006, 03:13 am

Blair has confessed to his prayers in agonising over the Iraq war.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4773124.stm

This whilst some might say he is being brave the statement will undoubtedly have an effect on the UK's perspectives on him.

I doubt anyone would dare to take a poll of UK religious beliefs, whist many are christened and we show the outside world our synods etc, few go too church other than at weddings, christenings and funerals. If answered truly the poll would show a significant percentage who do not believe in/care about god.

So should our politicians tell us before standing for election the extent of their faith?

casual timmy · Mar 4, 2006, 05:39 am

they have freedom of speech as much as we do. whether we believe their faith to be genuine or not is always up to us.

CallousGiant · Mar 4, 2006, 05:40 am

Hear hear

Dadoo · Mar 6, 2006, 07:03 pm

Every belief is exposed with every action.
Even covert activities can expose deep beliefs, especially to an intelligent and observant steward.
Whether or not they are uttered, they are "uttered".

How much of a politicians' rhetoric can be "trusted"? Really?

Even wolf skins will not hide thy horn nor cloven hoof!
Nor sheep's skin, the teeth that rip with eyes averted!

" ... "

Scribbler1 · Mar 6, 2006, 07:36 pm

To answer the thread's title question, I believe it is irrelevant and no one's business. John F. Kennedy was a Roman Catholic and a LOT of people were worried that he would take orders from the Pope (I said there were a lot of them, I never said they were smart) and likewise Joe Lieberman's orthodox Judaism made people think is as president he would "take Saturday's off" even if there was a crisis on that day.

How about an Atheist president?

SoccerfreakAB2 · Mar 6, 2006, 08:06 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Arawn-ap-Hywel

Blair has confessed to his prayers in agonising over the Iraq war.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4773124.stm

This whilst some might say he is being brave the statement will undoubtedly have an effect on the UK's perspectives on him.

I doubt anyone would dare to take a poll of UK religious beliefs, whist many are christened and we show the outside world our synods etc, few go too church other than at weddings, christenings and funerals. If answered truly the poll would show a significant percentage who do not believe in/care about god.

So should our politicians tell us before standing for election the extent of their faith?

Yes, it's like hiding any other bias towards a political avenue or future viewpoint. If they don't, then they are dishonest, and they are already dishonest, so that makes them criminals in my eyes.

FIFI · Mar 6, 2006, 08:10 pm

No. It just creates bias's based on what beliefe they say. Besides, I would like to think that your religion shouldn't effect your leadership skills, and before you say, what about the decisions they make on issues like gay marriage, abortion, gun laws, etc. Those SHOULD be known, and I bet many have opinions on those, even those who are not religious.

Arawn-ap-Hywel · Mar 9, 2006, 03:50 pm

Consider this to state a faith/belief is an honest act of integrity!

However it is the strength of that belief/faith demonstrated regularly the proves the politicians worth, prayer is not a vote spinning peice of propaganda to be used only to demonstrate that a person cannot make a decision.

Wouldn't you rather have politicians who speak their mind truly from their heart rather than some shallow elected person who jumps onto any bandwagon in some vile attempt to either boost the popularity or slope the blame too someone else.

I think it is essential that all public figures reveal their truths, and if by some personal circumstance their position changes that change should be stated.

This is not about their faith/belief it is about honesty and integrity!

something that seems to be totaly lacking from all of our elected representatives.

Oh where is our young "Beast of Bolsover" or "Benn" or "Heath" men of an age before spin whose word was worthy of the energy they used to utter it.

Apeman81 · Mar 9, 2006, 05:33 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Rive

*here, here

and i don't think polititcians should expose their beliefs (if its about religion), because religion and government are seperate people shouldn't care about the politician's relgion

A religion boils down to an organized set of paradigms upon which adherents base their belief system. Just like other belief systems, it is important if the person running for office makes decisions based upon his belief system.

Religion is a different animal then faith. You can have faith in a god without adhering to an established religion. This too is the formation of a belief system.

These fundaments of one's belief system are at least as important as knowing if one is conservative or liberal, a Keynesian or a Classical economist, etc.

A belief system based upon faith is no less allowable in politics than any other belief system. To deny such would be in direct violation of the “free exercise thereof” clause of the 1st amendment.

SoccerfreakAB2 · Mar 9, 2006, 06:38 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Rive

*here, here

and i don't think polititcians should expose their beliefs (if its about religion), because religion and government are seperate people shouldn't care about the politician's relgion

Religion and government SHOULD be separate, but that doesn't stop fundamentalists from trying to take hold of public office. I think it's important to know one's religion to spot bias in certain areas, but we must be careful not to unleash bias against him or her for the particular beliefs.

Mar 4, 2006, 03:13 am	#1 (permalink) (top)
Arawn-ap-Hywel Hot Lava Posts: 1,124	Should Politicians Expose their Belief Blair has confessed to his prayers in agonising over the Iraq war. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4773124.stm This whilst some might say he is being brave the statement will undoubtedly have an effect on the UK's perspectives on him. I doubt anyone would dare to take a poll of UK religious beliefs, whist many are christened and we show the outside world our synods etc, few go too church other than at weddings, christenings and funerals. If answered truly the poll would show a significant percentage who do not believe in/care about god. So should our politicians tell us before standing for election the extent of their faith?

Mar 6, 2006, 07:03 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
Dadoo Pure Energy Posts: 360	Every belief is exposed with every action. Even covert activities can expose deep beliefs, especially to an intelligent and observant steward. Whether or not they are uttered, they are "uttered". How much of a politicians' rhetoric can be "trusted"? Really? Even wolf skins will not hide thy horn nor cloven hoof! Nor sheep's skin, the teeth that rip with eyes averted! " ... " Heartbeat, the only song you will not hear until it's gone.

Mar 6, 2006, 08:10 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
FIFI THROBBIN ROBIN Location: USA Posts: 311	No. It just creates bias's based on what beliefe they say. Besides, I would like to think that your religion shouldn't effect your leadership skills, and before you say, what about the decisions they make on issues like gay marriage, abortion, gun laws, etc. Those SHOULD be known, and I bet many have opinions on those, even those who are not religious. DON'T TAKE AWAY MY RIGHTS JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T EXERCISE YOURS. Better to be thought a fool with ones mouth shut, than to speak and remove all doubt

Mar 4, 2006, 05:39 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
casual timmy up in your gut Location: austin texas Posts: 37	they have freedom of speech as much as we do. whether we believe their faith to be genuine or not is always up to us.

Mar 4, 2006, 05:40 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
CallousGiant Hot Thosages Posts: 125	Hear hear

Mar 6, 2006, 07:36 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Scribbler1 Skeptical Patriot Posts: 7,746	To answer the thread's title question, I believe it is irrelevant and no one's business. John F. Kennedy was a Roman Catholic and a LOT of people were worried that he would take orders from the Pope (I said there were a lot of them, I never said they were smart) and likewise Joe Lieberman's orthodox Judaism made people think is as president he would "take Saturday's off" even if there was a crisis on that day. How about an Atheist president?

Mar 9, 2006, 03:50 pm	#8 (permalink) (top)
Arawn-ap-Hywel Hot Lava Posts: 1,124	Consider this to state a faith/belief is an honest act of integrity! However it is the strength of that belief/faith demonstrated regularly the proves the politicians worth, prayer is not a vote spinning peice of propaganda to be used only to demonstrate that a person cannot make a decision. Wouldn't you rather have politicians who speak their mind truly from their heart rather than some shallow elected person who jumps onto any bandwagon in some vile attempt to either boost the popularity or slope the blame too someone else. I think it is essential that all public figures reveal their truths, and if by some personal circumstance their position changes that change should be stated. This is not about their faith/belief it is about honesty and integrity! something that seems to be totaly lacking from all of our elected representatives. Oh where is our young "Beast of Bolsover" or "Benn" or "Heath" men of an age before spin whose word was worthy of the energy they used to utter it.