Does religion matter to you...

[Munchkin03]

...in selecting a candidate?

Because I'm an absentee voter, I've been getting a lot of flyers in the mail for the primaries that are coming up at the end of August. (I'm non-partisan, so I only get to vote for judge, tax collector, county commissioner, and supervisor of elections). Each and every candidate had to mention the fact that he was a member of a certain church (the lone Jewish candidate made a vague reference to being active in "religious groups"). Of course, there were no Catholics--just Baptists and Methodists.

In local election such as these, do any of you actually care what religion your tax collector is? Superintendent of a public school district? I can understand listing community involvement and how familiar you are with your constituency.

[Kevin]

Originally posted by Munchkin03
...in selecting a candidate?

Because I'm an absentee voter, I've been getting a lot of flyers in the mail for the primaries that are coming up at the end of August. (I'm non-partisan, so I only get to vote for judge, tax collector, county commissioner, and supervisor of elections). Each and every candidate had to mention the fact that he was a member of a certain church (the lone Jewish candidate made a vague reference to being active in "religious groups"). Of course, there were no Catholics--just Baptists and Methodists.

In local election such as these, do any of you actually care what religion your tax collector is? Superintendent of a public school district? I can understand listing community involvement and how familiar you are with your constituency.

There are certain religions that I look down upon because of doctrinal issues. My views are more based on their religion as a whole than their dogma. I don't think it would enter into a decision on a politician. I guess a Jehovah's Witness could be a hell of a candidate. If he or she were, I'd vote for 'em.

For me it doesn't really matter.

[James]

If I thought that there religion was likely to make them really socially conservative it would matter to me. Especially in a judge.

[Kevin]

Originally posted by James
If I thought that there religion was likely to make them really socially conservative it would matter to me. Especially in a judge.

For judges: For district judges and lower judges like that: No.

For Supreme Court: yes.

I can't stand judges that wear their religion on their sleave and interpret law through the Bible.

[James]

Unless i agree with them

Originally posted by ktsnake
For judges: For district judges and lower judges like that: No.

For Supreme Court: yes.

I can't stand judges that wear their religion on their sleave and interpret law through the Bible.

[Kevin]

Originally posted by James
Unless i agree with them

There's always that.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by ktsnake
. I guess a Jehovah's Witness could be a hell of a candidate. If he or she were, I'd vote for 'em.

For me it doesn't really matter.

Since Jehovah's Witnesses don't vote (to my knowledge), I think I'd be tempted to vote for one, too!


I vote on the issues. I'm in a state where Independents are fairly disenfranchised for the primary, so while I'm registered in a party, it's because that party tends to support candidates who share my opinion of the issues more so than the others.

I think the "voting straight party" option should be done away with altogether! Even if I were to vote straight party, I'd select each person, rather than the "all of the above" option.

[valkyrie]

Personally, when political candidates/politicians mention religion, it bothers me. Even if it's as something as "innocent" as mentioning God -- I don't think it's relevant to anything political, and it makes me feel that the politician doesn't take into account that not all citizens share his/her religious beliefs.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Originally posted by Munchkin03
...in selecting a candidate?

Because I'm an absentee voter, I've been getting a lot of flyers in the mail for the primaries that are coming up at the end of August. (I'm non-partisan, so I only get to vote for judge, tax collector, county commissioner, and supervisor of elections). Each and every candidate had to mention the fact that he was a member of a certain church (the lone Jewish candidate made a vague reference to being active in "religious groups"). Of course, there were no Catholics--just Baptists and Methodists.

In local election such as these, do any of you actually care what religion your tax collector is? Superintendent of a public school district? I can understand listing community involvement and how familiar you are with your constituency.

Why did you write "of course there were no Catholics?" Are there Catholics in your community? Do they not run for office? I'm not trying to start anything. I am just really confused.

And to answer your question: no. I vote for candidates who will best represent me regardless of religion.

[swissmiss04]

Atheist, Buddhist, whatever...I judge by their personal principles. I'm quite turned off by any candidate that wears their religion on their sleeve. Most truly spiritual/religious people aren't so vociferous about their beliefs. I've found that the more insincere ones tend to talk the most.

I would never ever vote for or against a candidate simply because of his/her religion.

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
Why did you write "of course there were no Catholics?" Are there Catholics in your community? Do they not run for office? I'm not trying to start anything. I am just really confused.

I vote out of Florida--the part of Florida that's considered the South, where the three big religions are "Baptist, Methodist, and football." We only have one Catholic church and one synagogue, and about 25 Baptist churches, and about 30 Methodist ones. So, when I say, "of course there were no Catholics," it is a reflection of the community and the fact that two denominations pretty much run the show.

Originally posted by valkryiePersonally, when political candidates/politicians mention religion, it bothers me. Even if it's as something as "innocent" as mentioning God -- I don't think it's relevant to anything political, and it makes me feel that the politician doesn't take into account that not all citizens share his/her religious beliefs.

You know I feel the same way. In fact, I was pretty much turned off by all the candidates (except one, because he did amazing work in setting up an advocacy center for abused children) because I thought they were all good old boy rednecks. Most went to my HS--great! You're 60 and you've never been outside the county! You represent my interests!

[DeltAlum]

Religion makes no difference to me.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Originally posted by Munchkin03
I vote out of Florida--the part of Florida that's considered the South, where the three big religions are "Baptist, Methodist, and football." We only have one Catholic church and one synagogue, and about 25 Baptist churches, and about 30 Methodist ones. So, when I say, "of course there were no Catholics," it is a reflection of the community and the fact that two denominations pretty much run the show.

Oh I see. My cousin lives in Texas where Irish Catholics are few and far between and football is a religion also. She really missed New York.

[GeekyPenguin]

I wouldn't necessarily vote for somebody because they were Catholic, but there's people I would not vote for because of their religion.

[RACooper]

The way I look at it religion shouldn't be an issue, the candidate's character is more important (religion may be only an indicator). However I can't stand candidates who like to "preach from a pulpit" and make their religion (and opponents) and issue... much the same way I don't like candidates who purposefully wrap themselves in the flag...