A new poll says 56% of Americans think it's important for a White House wanna-be to have strong religious beliefs -- even if those beliefs differ from their own.
The percentage is higher still among white evangelicals (73%) and ethnic minority Christians (74%).
But the poll -- conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute in partnership with Religion News Service -- also found that many have trouble naming the religions of President Obama, a Democrat, and the two Republican front-runners, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann.
Check out the Religion News Service report as well as a more detailed breakdown by the pollster.
And for the record, here is a list of the religious affiliations of the likely 2012 presidential contenders:
- OBAMA: Attended a United Church of Christ church for 20 years, but has visited a few different churches in Washington -- including St. John's Episcopal, a longtime favorite with presidents since it's across from the White House.
- ROMNEY: Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons.
- BACHMANN: Lutheran.
- Businessman HERMAN CAIN: Baptist.
- Former House Speaker NEWT GINGRICH: Converted to Catholicism in 2008.
- Former Utah Gov. JON HUNTSMAN: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/Mormon
- U.S. Rep. RON PAUL: Baptist.
- Former Minn. Gov. TIM PAWLENTY: Evangelical, attends a Baptist church.
- Texas Gov. RICK PERRY: Attends two churches, one United Methodist, one Baptist.
- Former Sen. RICK SANTORUM: Catholic.
For more details on the GOP candidates' religion resumes, visit this Republican-friendly site.
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28 comments:
You could never admit that you are an athiest and get elected.
I would love to see a candidate one time have the honesty to admit that they are an athiest.
They would not be the first nor the last.
It's a shame that you have to lie about having religious beliefs in order to get elected.
At least 44% of the people have enough common sense to realize that being religious, or claiming to be religious, has absolutely nothing to do with what kind of president a candidate may be.
OBAMA: Attended a United Church of Christ church for 20 years:
Which is the Rev Wrights church, which preaches hatred toward this country and the same one that Ophra joined for street cred but quit after on two years because it was too extreme for her. The same Rev Wright that called this country AmeriKKA, blamed 9/11 on the USA, said this "the vast majority of white Americans are racist, either consciously or unconsciously", said this after Obama threw this Sharpton wannabe under the bus - President Obama's fiery ex-minister Jeremiah Wright is now blaming "them Jews" for keeping Obama from giving him a call these days" and in a real winner, he accused the US for starting the AIDS virus that is ravaging the black community.
And of course, Rev Wright lives in an exclusive community in Chicago, a white enclave that is gated.
Perfect.
And now you know the reat of the story that this author had no desire to tell you.
when God is in your life & you have asked Jesus to guide you, failure is impossible...for those of you non-believers, I will say prayers for you, but I am unfortunately very bitter because I attribute the lack of Christ in our country for everyone of our problems..when we all conclude that that is our problem, it will be amazing how quickly things get better
We should require our leaders to be devout Christians...you those of you that disagree, go live in Iraq...that is actually a splendid idea...either live a Christian life or be deported to Iraq...non-Christians cause all the problems we have any way...(God warned us about this in the Boble & Jesus lived it as an example of what we would be challenged with...)
How are Bachman and Romney considered the front runners when Ron Paul is running, why does the majority have to be so stupid?
I don't know why anonymous 4:49 should be so upset about Jeremiah Wright. Rev. Wright tells it like it is, which is more than anyone can say about that faker Franklin Graham or his father, Billy.
since you & jerimiah wright hate our country so much why don't you just leave...since you trashed on Billy & Franklin I will appoint you to the head of the deportation line to Iraq...perrfect examples of what the US needs to cleanse itself of...
Congratulations Tim: You've managed to stimulate the haters and drive your page views up with this "article."
Not sure you've accomplished anything more than that unfortunately.
Is this what we should expect now 3 times a week? It seems so "enticing..."
Ron Paul's Statement of Faith:
http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/statement-of-faith/
Excerpt from the above:
My faith is a deeply private issue to me, and I don’t speak on it in great detail during my speeches because I want to avoid any appearance of exploiting it for political gain. Let me be very clear here: I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and I endeavor every day to follow Him in all I do and in every position I advocate.
It is God Who gave us life. As He is free, so are those He created in His image. Our rights to life and liberty are inalienable.
I’m running for President of the United States because I believe that our traditions and way of life are under attack from an out-of-control federal government and reckless politicians who show no regard for what our Founders entrusted to our protection.
hey sam...we are all sick & tired of all the non-Christian attitudes displayed in this country...unfortunately we as sinners are imperfect & unforgiving when it comes to the ruin that is be perpatrated on all us all...in the next elections, just as the congressional election of last year, we will turn our passions to getting rid of all the "diversity" that the devil has brought into the US
This article should bring out the Bible thumpers in droves.
If there's a God, He or She should've reached down from the heavens and smacked a bunch of politicians up side the head over this debt ceiling thing. Or sent down an avenging angel or two to straighten 'em out.
August 3, 2011 5:22 PM
Go ahead and let President Moron run on this. Fact is, he denies ever hearing any of this after ONLY 20 years.
Anon. 5:55 PM:
So you just throw out the word "Sinner" and you're free not to listen to Jesus' words?
And "Diversity" is of the Devil? Have you even read ANY of the Bible?
Please... use your passion any way you like - but quit lying about how "Christian" you are - your comment makes it pretty clear how far you are from that.
I attended Christian schools for elementary, high school, and college. I know the Bible inside and out and try to follow Jesus' MORAL teachings in my interactions with my neighbors.
However, the last time I stepped into church was about 8 years ago. I was tired of the imposed guilt, tired of the rampant hypocrisy of the "pastors" and the laity, tired of the fairy-tale boloney that were obviously myths, just like Zeus, Jupiter, Thor, and the hundreds of other myths before it.
Today, I'm proud to say I'm an atheist. No, there is nothing missing from my life. No, I'm not unhappy and looking for guidance. I'm a perfectly normal FREE human being that has opted-out of the forced dogma and is living a much happier life because of it. Free of guilt, free of fear, free of hatred for those that don't share my beliefs. Also free of having to interact with bigots like the Anonymous commenter at 5:11.
Who cares what religion a politician is? Heaven forbid we have an atheist leader in office!
When there is a country devoid of religion, I will move there.
Which reminds me... I need to learn Chinese.
TO: AUGUST 3, 2011 4:49 PM
You are definitely telling the truth. blacks say they are tired of racism, yet have a pastor who is the most severe racist I have ever heard.
Rev Wright is the epitome of a bigot and a racist and anyone who believes obama "did not know" is good at lying to themselves and is probably a racist too.
when God is in your life & you have asked Jesus to guide you, failure is very probable...for those of you believers, I will say prayers for you, but I am unfortunately very bitter because I attribute the presence of "Christ" in our country for everyone of our problems..when we all conclude that that is our problem, it will be amazing how quickly things get better.
We should require our leaders not be Christians...those of you that disagree, go live in South Carolina...that is actually a splendid idea...either live an ethical life or be deported to SC...Christians cause all the problems we have any way...(Jesus warned us about this in the Gospels [i.e. false prophets] & Jesus lived it as an example of what we would be challenged with...)
I AGREE. FAITH IS IMPORTANT.
What I've learned in the last three years of Obama, is he lacks faith in.......the American People; the American Way.
As a Republican, I didn't expect much to be benefited from his policies. But I was surprised, how little he returned to those who voted for him.
He offered the young voters so much. He offered transparency. He offered hope. He offered change. So little materialized.
So, if the President attempts to run for re-election on a platform that includes Religious Faith I'll worry. I'll worry because I fear that is the next great American principle he's out to destroy.
Bolyn McClung
Pineville
I see this article drew many from the lower IQ sector out of the woodwork.
Makes sense. As if religion had any relevance with public office. It doesn't. Separation of church and state. Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. And so forth.
The only thing worse than a career politician is a religious career politician. They're the ones driven by ego, power, greed, AND ignorance.
Someone at the Observer's really hard up for something to write about, but I guess he has to justify his continued employment somehow.
Not mentioning any names, but his initials are T.F.
The two most religious presidents we've had in recent decades were also the worst: Bush II and Jimmy Carter.
The all sound like the Taliban to me. Just substitute "Jeebus" for "Allah" and the rest of their gibberish is the same.
Hello, McFly? Given the state of the country right now I'd rather know how many accounting classes an elected official has taken rather than their religion. That's how we ended up with the group of knuckleheads we have now. We're asking all the wrong questions and worrying about all the wrong things.
After reading the comments on here I am amazed that such hatred is expended toward something you think doesn't even exist. LOL! Isn't that kind of.....dumb? ;)
It's hard to understand the hatred towards BHO's (admittedly, pathetic) preacher compared to the limited outrage to the fact that Romney is, in his words a "devout" Mormon
The LDS is the 2nd most charlatan major church in America after Scientology. Until recently the LDS endorsed incestuous plural marriages with 14 year olds. That is normally considered RAPE. I guess thats ok, because god forgot to mention rape in the 10 commandments
Michell Bachman's husband is running an unlicensed pseudo medical practice that pretends to help people pray away the gay. While this is almost as bad as witch doctors performing rain dances, it smacks of major over compensation for one's inner turmoil.
Newt converted to Catholicism in 2008, I guess to appease his 3rd Mistress? Not sure how that jives with catholic dogma. But it's interesting that such an educated guy can pick a church that showed so little moral backbone as to only excommunicate ONE of the Nazi party after WW2, and that was for marrying a protestant. I guess the slaughter of millions of people in concentration camps is ok with God, as long as there are no interfaith marriages.
Rick Perry has refereed to Texas's economy as a "miracle" (even tough 1 in 3 children live below the poverty line, and unemployment is 8.2% ), asked people to pray for rain (just like a witch doctor would), while using his elected seat to organize evangelical gatherings (violating the constitution).
The level of religiosity in American politics should be considered a moral and intellectual emergence.
-Exodus 21:20-21
Our country was founded on principles of religious freedom and tolerance. In case some forgot,(or don't know) we also have a Constitution that requires separation of church and state. We have morphed into a society where everyone has to submit to a religious test from the right wing wackos. Enough of this nonsense! Europeans think we are nuts, and they're correct.
Franklin Graham a faker! He is the ONLY one that is not afraid to say it like it is. Billy Graham didn't want to hurt his image and go against his liberal buddies. That's why he's held up like the religious Obama in the liberal press.
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