Sure it’s appropriate. I want to know if a candidate is going to substitute his tenets of faith for science, for instance. Or if he’s going to cut social services and rely on “faith-based” groups to take over. One thing that never gets mentioned is what happens when an atheist or someone of a different faith needs those services? Are they denied? Are they preached to? Or are they simply helped, without having pressure put on them to convert to the faith that is doing the charitable deed?
A couple of decades ago, my family was very poor. I needed psychiatric help, though, so I went to my county Mental Health/Mental Retardation office. There I was given some help, along with the prescription of antidepressant that I needed (and I continue to need an antidepressant today). I was told where to get the prescription filled at a discount (this was because the pharmacy had a deal with the state). Unfortunately, one of the pharmacists felt the need to question my relationship with Jesus Christ every time I came in. She told me that my problems would be less burdensome if I’d turn my life over to Christ, etc., etc. She knew that I didn’t have the option of going to another pharmacy. I really think that she was taking advantage of a captive audience. I HAD to have that medicine, but she insisted on preaching to me every month before she’d fill that prescription. I realize that this was not a government-sponsored preaching, but it goes to show how someone in desperate circumstances can feel trapped into listening to a sermon to obtain something s/he desperately needs.
That really sucks, Lynn. As far as I’m concerned, that pharmacist was a bully. I can’t help but wonder, though, what someone might desperately need from President Bush (or any other candidate) except that he shut up and leave us all alone.
Well that sure changes things. I find inappropriate for anyone pursuing the office to mention his beliefs in the context of the duties of the job. Democrats included.
Mr. Moto: I’m not a hypersensitive agnostic. I’m a deist. I don’t find this offensive. I simply don’t think someone who can’t separate his personal beliefs from the responsibilities of his position and uses the office of President as his own little pulpit is the right man for the job.
