Panel discusses role of religion in politics, court system

The intensity of appeals to religious voters has been greater during this year's presidential election campaign than in years past but the appeals have always been present, said a four-member panel speaking during a panel discussion Wednesday at Dempster Hall's Glenn Auditorium on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

About 50 people attended the presentation, which covered issues of how faith influences voters, what role religion plays in the court system and how religion affects political choices.

America always has been a religious country and a high percentage of Americans profess some sort of religion connection, said Dr. Russell Renka, a political science professor at Southeast Missouri State University.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy had to prove that he wasn't too Catholic, and now John Kerry is having to prove he's Catholic enough to be elected president, said Dr. Hamner Hill, a philosophy professor at the university. "Something really amazing has changed in American politics," he said.

For God and country

It seems that voters today want candidates to express a loyalty to religion over a loyalty to the country, Hill said. Hill also spoke about how religion could influence the Supreme Court, which is likely to see a justice or two resign during the next presidential term.

And while voters want justices to consider issues of fact and law, many also want them to consider matters of faith. The court has had cases come before it concerning whether the Pledge of Allegiance should contain the words "under God" and will soon decide if the Ten Commandments can be displayed in public buildings.

Voters want government leaders with good values and character. Dr. Don Emge, director of social ministry for the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Catholic Diocese, said voters need to make their decisions based on integrity.

"When you vote, does it reflect your values?" he said. He challenged the audience, and political parties, to move away from class-based issues and to consider how issues affect America in totality. "Within the Catholic tradition we look at the common good," he said.

Emge also made a distinction between faith and religion. "Everyone here, whether they go to church or not, has core beliefs about what is sacred and what is meaningful and what is true. I'd encourage you to talk about those values and promote those values."

Religion, he said, is about the externals of faith: how we approach worship. "When it comes to politics we should be focused on inserting our core values into the conversation."

David Whitaker of Campus Outreach, a Christian student organization, said he does just that when voting. "Because of what I believe I choose to vote," he said. "I think God wants us to be active participants in society and not just wish it was different."

ljohnston@semissourian.com

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