Using Religion in Politics is a Cheater's Ploy

COMMENTARY | Look where it got Rick Perry, when he used his "Strong" ad on YouTube. He ended up dropping out of the race. Now, not only is Rick Santorum pandering to religious superstitions - as in this Associated Press report - but Mitt Romney is joining in on the bandwagon too, as demonstrated in the Huffington Post. Tactics such as these are nothing shy of a cheating maneuver, meant to distract from the real issues of a candidacy like so much flak.

The fact of the matter is we live in a pluralistic society. And with whatever flaws he may have, President Obama does recognize that no one particular flavor of faith should hold any preferential treatment within American government. We have a wall of separation between church and state in the U.S. For a reason. It seems the church would be those most interested in maintaining it.

But for every opportunity taken by candidates to discuss real issues which affect us all, they also pander to the religious, the fearful, the ill-informed and the easily excitable. And I find it disgusting. It's a cheating tactic and nothing more. Let's stick with the real-world issues please.

Before we worry about who worships what and where, let's have a look at the plans to restore the economy. Before a candidate attempts to call someone else's imaginary deity more imaginary than their imaginary deity, let's look at what plans there are available to protect the country from our enemies. And before anyone's "special book" is considered to hold anymore truth than a copy of "Harry Potter," let's talk of how we might take care of those within the country who might be in need of help.

Obama's greatest crime to most of the Republican candidates (and a lot of their supporters) is that, over the years, he recognized belief systems and faiths not held precious by the majority of the painfully ignorant American public. Might I recommend the Republican candidates try calling President Obama to task for his actions which affect us all here in the real world? That is, if they have anything legitimate to complain about.

The more I look into it, it's actually beginning to look as if some of Obama's actions early in his campaign just might be paying off. Perhaps all Republicans might have to go after him for is religion, after all. How sad.