Religion and Dubya

By Ryan Jenkins
Guest Writer

Soon we will choose the next U.S. President. Both John Kerry and George W. Bush are men of faith, but there is a striking difference in how their faith affects them. Bush is a born again Christian who has claimed divine inspiration for some of his political acts. Kerry is a Roman Catholic who believes that logic and scientific reason should run the country.

Many religious leaders, even Catholic ones, endorse George Bush. Forty-eight Noble Prize winners, along with a great number of scientists and engineers, support Kerry. What’s sad to me is that the religious leaders seem to sway people’s opinions more.

Curious George believes his way is the way, the truth, the light and there is no way to safety but through him, the son of the father (also George Bush, for they are one being, yet two). He believes that it is right for him to force his religious beliefs on the nation. His stances on abortion, stem cell research and homosexuality are clearly based in his faith.

The Taliban is evil because they ran a country in which a certain brand of religion was law, defining everything from how people could dress to what roles they had in society. The Spanish Inquisition not only enforced religious views but, acting in the name of God, tortured anyone they suspected of heresy.

I doubt the Bush administration will go that far, but I also note with alarm that Bush redefined torture so that, as long as you’re asking questions, nothing you do can be considered torture.

So what’s the difference between Bush and the Taliban if both are enforcing their religious views? Bush doesn’t have the power to go as far as the Taliban did, and his values are easier to relate to than theirs.

But when you try to force your beliefs down someone else’s throat you’re wrong, and when you use the government to do so, you’re evil.

Many of you will say “the Founders were religious and they wrote it into the government,” but most of the Founders were Anglicans. Anglicans in America are now called Episcopalians. Why not run the nation based on Episcopal beliefs? (By the way, the Episcopal Church has an openly gay bishop who lives with his boyfriend, so nice try.)

As one of the men who helped write a certain document that used to be displayed where the Patriot Acts are now said, “You can’t legislate morality.”

The government makes laws in order to keep peace and prevent chaos, so that you and I can go on with our lives. Anything else and they’re crossing the line.