Religious rhetoric mars political effectiveness

Apparently, when God is not overseeing his vast and wonderfully imperfect universe, he is keeping up with American politics.

This week, television evangelist Pat Robertson claimed that God clued him in on the results of the next presidential election.

Curiously, he refused to share the electoral outcome. Robertson also informed his viewers that God is unhappy with President Barack Obama’s agenda, and that the spiritual battle against him “Can only be won by overwhelming prayer.”

These words relate directly to the problems of this country. Just like any other interest group, the radical Christian right has infiltrated the electorate in an effort to push forward its own ignorant agenda, only contributing more to the divisiveness that plagues American politics.

Republicans, in particular, seem to invest themselves in the religious rhetoric.

Just last month, GOP presidential hopeful Rick Perry released a campaign commercial stating that, “You know that something’s wrong with this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.”

He then promised to “End Obama’s war on religion.”

Seriously? The last time I checked, openly celebrating Christmas seemed to be more of a widespread phenomenon rather than a widespread problem, and the government wasn’t capable of preventing anyone from thinking or praying when and where they choose.

If we want to get on the subject of openly celebrating religious holidays, maybe we should count the number of Hanukkah specials aired on television.

Oh, that’s right — there are none.

The founders established the principle of separation of church and state for a reason. The purpose of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” was to create a healthy democracy. Such a democracy should allow the freedom of one’s own thoughts, beliefs and convictions, separate from the government’s collective mentality.

The Treaty of Tripoli, ratified by Congress in 1797, clarifies America’s religious neutrality by stating that, “The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”

A basic premise of Robertson’s divine inspiration is correct. This country has real problems. Our economy is in turmoil, and it is apparent that our current leaders are incapable of creating a solution.

And as a fiscal conservative, I also hope that Obama is defeated in November. But trading one radical defective ideology in the White House for another is not going to resolve anything.

By all accounts, everyone should participate in our country’s political discourse. But Americans should avoid contributing to ignorant rhetoric. They should make decisions free from any interest groups, including the Christian right.

While Robertson is busy healing people’s hemorrhoids via the television and conversing with God about public policy and Tim Tebow, take time to learn about the issues of the day. Though your religion should mold your politics, it should not be your politics.

If we all keep educated and vote, I think God’s will for America is more likely to manifest itself throughout our great nation — rather than just making a brief appearance on Robertson’s television show.