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Religion in politics

LittlePinky82

Well-Known Member
So this last weekend was the Saddleback (sp?) church thing. I know Christianity is popular here in the States but that isn't the only religion here. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the country so when are the candidates going to talk to them? The only candidate who has talked to the Muslim's was Mike Gravel during the Democratic party primary. And what about your average Jewish voters as well? I don't think AIPAC represents every Jewish person out there. Why not have J-Street do a q&a on issues? Of course the Constitution says there isn't supposed to be a religious test and I would prefer not to have any of it but if we are why not include everyone? Especially with the other two major religions in the country. They're voters too. So just my litle rant. :)
 

Engyo

Prince of Dorkness!
As a representative of another minority religion, I can see the point. I can also see the problems - if it goes to the nth degree, then candidates wouldn't have time for anything else. Voodoo this week, Santeria next week, Rastafarians the week after, the Jains, Sikhs and Zoroastrians next month, etc.
 

LittlePinky82

Well-Known Member
As a representative of another minority religion, I can see the point. I can also see the problems - if it goes to the nth degree, then candidates wouldn't have time for anything else. Voodoo this week, Santeria next week, Rastafarians the week after, the Jains, Sikhs and Zoroastrians next month, etc.

I'm just saying at least with the other two major religions. Especially Islam since it is the fastest growing religion in the U.S. currently. Why they just pander to Christianity is just pathetic and I get so sick of it and there are lots of issues too with Islam as well such as Muslim's getting kidnapped and tortured in Guntanamao Bay and other prisons around the world (like Egypt) and issues with the Quran and Mosques getting attacked. There was a Mosque here in my town that got attacked once.
 
So this last weekend was the Saddleback (sp?) church thing. I know Christianity is popular here in the States but that isn't the only religion here. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the country so when are the candidates going to talk to them? The only candidate who has talked to the Muslim's was Mike Gravel during the Democratic party primary. And what about your average Jewish voters as well? I don't think AIPAC represents every Jewish person out there. Why not have J-Street do a q&a on issues? Of course the Constitution says there isn't supposed to be a religious test and I would prefer not to have any of it but if we are why not include everyone? Especially with the other two major religions in the country. They're voters too. So just my litle rant. :)
I think the issue is also that religions like Islam compose a pretty small minority in the USA. I was watching 20/20 a few years back and I think they quoted a statistic that only 2-3% of American citizens are Muslim. On the other hand, I think that professed Christians compose about 80% of the American population. There's also the fact that both McCain and Obama claim Christianity as their own religion, so that's naturally the faith that their going to feel comfortable talking about and speaking to.
 

Jayhawker Soule

-- untitled --
Premium Member
I think the issue is also that religions like Islam compose a pretty small minority in the USA. I was watching 20/20 a few years back and I think they quoted a statistic that only 2-3% of American citizens are Muslim. On the other hand, I think that professed Christians compose about 80% of the American population. There's also the fact that both McCain and Obama claim Christianity as their own religion, so that's naturally the faith that their going to feel comfortable talking about and speaking to.
Please do not interrupt the rant with facts!
 

LittlePinky82

Well-Known Member
Absolutely. They should pander to other religions as well. :rolleyes:

You missed my point entirely. I said if they are going to be doing this pandering they should be open to at least other major religions like Judaism and Islam. Especially issues concerning Islam and Muslim's since 9/11. You also missed when I said I am a communist and we don't do this crap but that's not the society I live in so if you are going to pander to one you should keep in mind not everyone who votes are Christian's.
 

LittlePinky82

Well-Known Member
I think the issue is also that religions like Islam compose a pretty small minority in the USA. I was watching 20/20 a few years back and I think they quoted a statistic that only 2-3% of American citizens are Muslim. On the other hand, I think that professed Christians compose about 80% of the American population. There's also the fact that both McCain and Obama claim Christianity as their own religion, so that's naturally the faith that their going to feel comfortable talking about and speaking to.

As you even said that 20/20 thing was a few years back. Currently Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the nation.
 

LittlePinky82

Well-Known Member
Please do not interrupt the rant with facts!

What facts? It was from a few years ago. I think things have changed since "a few years ago." And how many years ago are you talking about? Five? Ten? Twenty? Talk about inserting facts.... And only you are calling it a rant. I'm calling it hypocrisy.
 

LittlePinky82

Well-Known Member
I think the issue is also that religions like Islam compose a pretty small minority in the USA. I was watching 20/20 a few years back and I think they quoted a statistic that only 2-3% of American citizens are Muslim. On the other hand, I think that professed Christians compose about 80% of the American population. There's also the fact that both McCain and Obama claim Christianity as their own religion, so that's naturally the faith that their going to feel comfortable talking about and speaking to.

And where are your citations for your "facts"? As far as I can tell, without citations, you just pulled this from your ***.
 
What facts? It was from a few years ago. I think things have changed since "a few years ago." And how many years ago are you talking about? Five? Ten? Twenty? Talk about inserting facts.... And only you are calling it a rant. I'm calling it hypocrisy.
I'm talking probably since 2004. Are you claiming that the percentage of American citizens who identify as Muslims has significantly increased since that time?
 

LittlePinky82

Well-Known Member
The most recent statistic in that article (2007) places the American Muslim population at 2.4 million....less than 1% of the national population. The largest number, from 2001, places the population only at 6-7 million. Go figure...I was being generous.

The fact still remains they are the third most popular religion in the country. You can't deny that, can you? If you are going to pander to one religion you should the other two popular religions. "God" just isn't reserved for Christianity.
 

LittlePinky82

Well-Known Member

So? Still haven't refuted my fact that they are the third most popular religion in the country. And they aren't the only other religion I mentioned either. I also mentioned the Jewish population. The only event politicians go to where it concerns Judaism is AIPAC and I highly doubt that AIPAC represents every Jew in the country. And how many people here know who they are?
 

Engyo

Prince of Dorkness!
So? Still haven't refuted my fact that they are the third most popular religion in the country. And they aren't the only other religion I mentioned either. I also mentioned the Jewish population. The only event politicians go to where it concerns Judaism is AIPAC and I highly doubt that AIPAC represents every Jew in the country. And how many people here know who they are?
You might try reading the posted links before sounding off.

According to the listings, Buddhists are a higher percentage of the US population than Muslims are, at 0.7% Buddhist vs. 0.6% Muslim. So are Don't Know / Refused (0.8%) and Unaffiliated (a big one at 16.1%). Unaffiliated beats the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Other Faiths and Other World Religions catagories combined.

If I were a candidate, I know where I'd focus my resources.
 
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