John McCain cited in an AP article:
In an interview with Beliefnet, a multi-denominational Web site that covers religion and spirituality, the Republican presidential hopeful was asked if a Muslim candidate could be a good president.
“I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles … personally, I prefer someone who I know who has a solid grounding in my faith,” McCain said. “But that doesn’t mean that I’m sure that someone who is Muslim would not make a good president.”
Later, McCain said, “I would vote for a Muslim if he or she was the candidate best able to lead the country and defend our political values.”
I don’t think this country was founded on Christian Values per se. It was founded on values of democracy, many of which were being discussed at the time in Europe, especially France, by nascent atheists (I say “nascent” because you could still not come out in public and admit it without losing rank and position… although at this point you were not being burned for it) and non-churchgoers. The Constitution and Declaration of Independence do not make statements regarding religion, except that it be separated from the state (a good move all around.)
I am writing this from the edge of the Bible Belt (and, indeed, in a month or so I’m moving to West Virginia where the preponderance of believers as opposed to no-believers is more than heavy) where, unfortunately, religion, and the related nonsense that surrounds it, constantly comes up in political discussion. I have learned not to discuss it with my students (college level) since I am outnumbered there and logic doesn’t even stand a chance — less than 20% of them by my in-class poll believe in “evolution” as opposed to the six-day creation of everything!
Yet, I am hopeful that religion will play less of a part in this election than the economy, the war (and its criminal pursuit by politicians) and health care. Or, at the very least, it will split the opposition (I understand that there is already a thrid-party imperative by the Religious Right ready to spring if Giuliani is nominated by the Repubs) and aid in the triumph of a Democrat.
McCain made his statement, I am sure, to gain support, not lose it. I don’t think he was aware of the buzz he would start.
