Should elected officials separate their religious beliefs from their politics?

The general consensus is probably 'yes they should,' but another general consensus is probably that it doesn't happen as much as it should. New York senator Mark Grisanti, who is a devout Catholic, was one of the key figures in getting gay marriage to pass; many are surprised at his voting in favor of it, in spite of his religious beliefs.

How do you feel about a politician politics being significantly influenced by their theology? Is it something they should deliberately avoid?

If they can avoid it I think it's fine. But if not they shouldn't be in politics. The Constitution overrules the bible or any other religious book of choice. Religion should play no part in politics at all.

The idea that religion should play no part in politics at all is an absurd idea, hypocritical, and not all as rooted in the constitution as some say. (And let's face it. The politicians stopped caring about the constitution long ago.)

People's beliefs will govern their political decisions. This includes non-religious beliefs. It's a fact of life. If a politician says that their religious beliefs, or their non-religious beliefs, do not affect their politics, they are either lying or are probably just deceiving themselves. If you think somebody whose beliefs impact their politics shouldn't be in office, then America goes without politicians of any kind. It ain't gonna happen cause it can't happen.

And just because a professed "religious" person goes against what their religion teaches doesn't mean that the person is actually going against their own beliefs. Politicians don't violate their own beliefs, with the exception being unless they need to save their ass.

I think there should be a separation between church and state. The issue is that there are so many people in this country with different religions. Trying to box an entire nation to one specific religion doesn't work.

However, religious beliefs are an integral part to a lot of people's codes of ethics. You can't tell them to ignore them. But I think that if people are going to let religion determine how they swing their votes, they should remember what it is that they are voting for and recognize if said law/bill/proposition will truly affect them in the long run. For example, gay marriage. The legalization of gay marriage has no effect on a straight person's benefits, taxes or marriage, so why let religion ruin it for everybody else.

Church, state and all that good stuff. The constitution and how it relates to everyone is more important than their religious ideology. If they can't separate the two then they needn't go into politics.

(Oh!) Rob Petrie wrote:
...religious beliefs are an integral part to a lot of people's codes of ethics. You can't tell them to ignore them.

Whether you're for or against abortion, gay marriage, legalized drugs...whatever, it's not a big secret what a candidate's position is. Vote accordingly.

We should maintain a separation of church and State in this country but politicians' belief system is a window into their ethical thinking pattern and should not be ignored. Their belief system will shape their policy decisions. Nobody can separate themselves and their actions from what they truly believe, so we should examine every part of their lives...not just parts of them, because we are all the sum of ALL of our experiences.

Chris wrote:The general consensus is probably 'yes they should,' but another general consensus is probably that it doesn't happen as much as it should. New York senator Mark Grisanti, who is a devout Catholic, was one of the key figures in getting gay marriage to pass; many are surprised at his voting in favor of it, in spite of his religious beliefs.

How do you feel about a politician politics being significantly influenced by their theology? Is it something they should deliberately avoid?

Ideally yes.
Most politicians though can't seem to seperate the two.

A politician significantly influenced by their theology will never get my vote.

How I wish they would. I would just love to see an American politician admit to being an atheist.