BALLOTS & THE BIBLE: FINDING RELIGION'S ROLE IN AMERICAN POLITICS

Rick Althaus thinks the ballot box is the appropriate place to vote with conviction, but he'd rather cast a ballot based on a political belief rather than a religious conviction alone.

Area ministers and political observers say that most voters would agree with Althaus, a university professor and former state senate candidate.

Voters are more vocal about their religious convictions than in years past, but they don't want one person's morality forced on them.

"I don't think the polling place is my place to try and spread the Gospel, I can do that elsewhere," Althaus said. "But I can express myself on the direction and policies I think are best."

Althaus, ran for state senate in 1996 as a Democrat. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Faith is a matter for a person and his or her god, he said. Yet it is an issue that continues to come up in the political arena.

How much does religion play into America's political choices?

The answer depends on where you live, said Dr. Peter Bergerson, a political science professor at Southeast Missouri State University.

Areas like the Deep South and parts of the Midwest have a more pronounced religious influence on political life. Often religious issues set a tone for a campaign.

"There's no question that religion can have an influence," Bergerson said. "You could also argue there is an indirect influence in the sense of right or wrong and good or bad, what's acceptable and unacceptable."

Terri Goodman, who attends Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, looks at a candidate's stance on important issues but always comes back to topics like abortion that are affected by religion.

"I know you shouldn't be a one issue voter, but I am," she said.

More talk, not more belief

There are many others like her. Some religious movements, like the Christian Coalition, Moral Majority and Religious Right have agendas and seek to make sure their agenda is part of a campaign policy, Bergerson said.

While there is more discussion of religion in American politics, that doesn't translate into having a more religious nation, he said.

Dr. Andy Pratt, who teaches a Religion in America course at the university and is director at the Baptist Student Center, said people are expressing stronger personal views, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are voting as a religious bloc or that they want any one perspective forced on the nation.

"There are more intense feelings but also more tolerance," he said.

With tolerance comes some openness about how faiths other than Christianity play a role in politics, said the Rev. Phil Curran of First Christian Church.

"We think of this nation as being a Christian nation, but maybe we are not as open to other understandings of faith as we could be," Curran said.

He believes the selection of Joseph Lieberman as the Democratic vice presidential candidate as a bold move for the nation. Lieberman is first Jewish vice presidential candidate.

That selection by Al Gore is what triggered a discussion about faith and politics and what role they play in American life.

First Christian Church will host a panel discussion at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on the topic. Another discussion will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at Crisp Auditorium. It is being sponsored by a Religion in America course at the university.

Faith influences service

Althaus, also a political science professor, will be part of the discussion at First Christian Church. He thinks that the question isn't one of how much religion influences politics but how much candidates are influenced by their own faith.

"That influences his or her approach to public service," Althaus said. "Even people with similar religious beliefs have different political beliefs."

Candidates are continually asked about their religious affiliation, he said. "I think people find it comforting that a candidate has some kind of religious belief, but I don't think that guarantees them a vote."

Just because a person is a Catholic or Baptist, Jew or Buddhist, that doesn't explain how they will vote.

Althaus said it takes a very attentive voter to learn about a candidate's personal beliefs and then reckon those with political issues like education or campaign finance.

Would you rather vote for someone who shares similar religious views and turn them loose on policy issues or ignore religious beliefs and look at policy only? Althaus asked.

"You don't have to contradict your religious beliefs based on actions you need to take in the political arena," he said.

Bergerson said that often people are voting based on religious and moral issues only but that their convictions are diluted when placed on a national level. "You can say they are making a difference but it's only in the margins."

Some people vote for a specific candidate because they seek a certain brand of morality, Curran said. "Now we are looking at politics and religion with new lenses," he said.

Candidates who talk about religion have given Americans permission to share faith and everyday living within a political context, Curran said.

Politics and Religion

What: Panel discussion on the impact of faith in political life.

Where: First Christian Church, 2411 Abbey Road.

When: Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Who: Panelists include City Councilman Hugh White, Dr. Rick Althaus, a political science professor and the Rev. Phil Curran.

Upcoming:

Another discussion will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Crisp Auditorium. It is a symposium presented by students in a Religion in America course at Southeast Missouri State University.

ON THE INTERNET

Americans United for Separation of Church and State: www.au.org

Christian Coalition: www.cc.org

Coalition of Politically Active Christians: www.copac.addr.com

American Center for Law and Justice: www.aclj.org

Pew Research Center for the People and the Press: www.people-press.org

People for the American Way: www.pfaw.org

Freedom Forum Online: www.freedomforum.org/religion/index.html

Keep Religion Away from Politics: http://ekrap.tripod.com