RIGHT or WRONG? Religious test

Even though the U.S. Constitution states, "No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States," some people apply ad hoc religious tests to vet candidates. What can be done to counter this practice?

Religious liberty and the separation of church and state certainly have been hallmarks of the Baptist tradition for just over 400 years now. If the truth be told, though, Baptists have interpreted and lived out these beliefs in vastly different ways. Some Baptists have been strict separationists; others have been more accommodating in their understandings of the ways the government and the church should relate. You addressed one of the most divisive topics among Baptists—the religious views and faith commitments of political officials.

While the Constitution clearly calls for no religious restrictions to be placed on those who run for and are elected to office, Baptists often have applied their own religious tests. Back in 1960, some Baptists strongly opposed the election of a Catholic as president of the United States. In recent years, some Baptists have opposed the presidential candidacy of a Mormon. And if in the next major election, a self-identified atheist ran for the highest office of the land, some Baptists certainly would be critical and vocal about such a candidate.

The reality in our country is that citizens vote for whomever they wish and base their votes on whatever criteria are important to them. Relying solely on a candidate's connection with a specific religious tradition or affiliation with a denominational organization is a risky venture, though. Evaluating a person's faith commitment can be subjective at best, and determining what is public political rhetoric and what is heartfelt, daily lived-out faith is almost impossible in this day of the 10-second sound bites.

My own understanding of this constitutional mandate is that we as citizens must consider the "whole" of a candidate, not only their religious label or affiliation. Good citizenship demands we select the best possible leader—one we believe will be faithful to the law, the Constitution and the people. Billy Graham got it right in his 1999 autobiography, Just As I Am, when he said, "Religious conviction alone is not the most reliable guide as to who would be the best and most effective leader."

We need to examine a candidate's morals, values and track record. We should ask: Is the candidate a person of integrity and honesty? Does the candidate make intelligent and thoughtful decisions? Is the candidate hard-working and responsible? Can the candidate work well with others and take a strong stand for what is right and best? Has the candidate demonstrated leadership ability?

Then we cast our support in those directions.

Pam Durso, executive director

Baptist Women in Ministry

Atlanta, Ga.

?Right or Wrong? is sponsored by the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon School of Theology. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to btillman@hsutx.edu.