IN THEORY:

A recent Pew Research Center survey showed that, for the first time in more than a decade, most Americans think religious organizations should keep out of politics and that a rising number of voters are wary of politicians who talk about how religious they are. What do you think of these trends?

I cringe when politicians switch into “holier than thou” mode, when they pander to religious sentiments and religious resentments, and when they lay God’s mantle upon their views.

Those who claim that they are on God’s side, or worse, that God is on their side, demean the religious quest and diminish the democratic political process.

Candidates who cultivate a strong religious faith must not allow it to govern their responses to public policy. The only rationale for their advocacy of a certain position is a secular rationale.

Those who seek office should be acutely aware that the clash of ideas is a cherished hallmark of secular democracy, while the clash of gods has no place in the public square. Our legislative, judicial and executive strivings should coalesce around public reason, not private faith.

God may be guiding the destiny of America, but he is not occupying the Oval Office, a seat in the U.S. Senate, or a chair on the Supreme Court. It is the Constitution, not the Bible, that must be upheld by those seeking to govern in America.

Rabbi Mark Miller

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach

It’s disturbing to see how many ministers have decided to take political positions from their pulpits.

Some have crossed the line, some have walked the line, and others have approached the line. I must admit, it’s hard to resist the temptation, but resist I must.

I always remind myself that my political view, spoken from the pulpit, will only polarize the people I am here to help. And if they trusted me to deliver a spiritual message that can help them live a more peaceful life, then to heck with my position.

I’m going for the spiritual message that can heal, inspire or inform. But that doesn’t mean I have to abandon my responsibility as a citizen. I will study the issues, vote my conscience and pray that no matter who gets elected, our country will rise to its potential.

Pastor Jim Turrell

Center for Spiritual Discovery, Costa Mesa

It certainly should be no surprise that more people are now opposed to religious organizations being involved in politics than before President George W. Bush’s reign. He represented the most actively pro-religion administration that we have ever had, and we will all have to live with the disastrous results of his administration.

Pro-religion politics has to mean “pro one of the religions politics,” because different religions have different views on many issues.

Thus, political leaders would support their preferred religion with huge financial support, as Bush has done, to the negation of others, which is clearly biased and un-American.

Religious organizations that want to promote a political party or a politician should have that right only if they give up all of the special rights the government generally gives to religious organizations, such as the elimination of taxes.

However, churches that are simply opposed to wars should not be challenged by the IRS as though that were a political statement, as the Bush administration tried to do against the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena in 2005, in its ironically political attempt to eliminate any opposition to any of its policies.

Since when was being against war strictly a political viewpoint?

Jerry Parks

Member, Humanist Assn. of Orange County