Religion does NOT belong in politics

The major religious groups have finally done something RIGHT! Yes, I said it. Religious groups are doing something right. On Tuesday, the Anti-Defamation League, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and the Interfaith Alliance released a "Statement of Principles" regarding religion in political campaigns.

In this statement they warn that: "there is a point when an emphasis on religion becomes inappropriate and even unsettling in a religiously diverse society such as ours" THANK YOU! It's about time that everyone realized that RELIGION DOES NOT BELONG IN POLITICS!

This statement asks political candidates to:

•Attempt to fulfill the promise of America by seeking to serve and be responsive to the full range of constituents, irrespective of their religion.


•Conduct their campaigns without appeals, overt or implicit, for support based upon religion.

•Reject appeals or messages to voters that reflect religious prejudice, bias, or stereotyping.

•Engage in vigorous debate on important and disputed issues, without deliberately encouraging division in the electorate along religious lines, or between voters who characterize themselves as religious and voters who do not.
 
J. Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in a statement said: "Candidates do not have to check their religion at the door of the offices they seek. But they need to understand that they serve people of other faiths and of no faith. Resorting to religious language that sets people of faith against each other harms political discourse and sows religious discord."
 
This is great, finally even religious groups are starting to see that EVERYONE should be included in politics, not just the 'fringe religious groups' that the candidates are trying to get votes from.
 
Please, let your candidates know that RELIGION DOES NOT BELONG IN POLITICS. Religion if you choose to have one, belongs AT HOME.
 
The statement was signed by the following religious groups:
 
was signed by: the American Islamic Congress; American Jewish Committee; Anti-Defamation League; Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty; Interfaith Alliance; Islamic Society of North America; Hindu American Foundation; Muslim Advocates; National Council of Churches USA; Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund; Sikh Coalition; Union for Reform Judaism; The United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society; and the United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries.
 
Although I do NOT subscribe to any of their beliefs, I will hold up my hands and cheer for these folks. Thank you for displaying some logic, intelligence and good common sense!
 
Thank you.