Presidential candidates demonstrate flagrant disregard for longstanding secular tradition by submitting to Evangelical “Civil Forum” as first joint appearance.
LOS ANGELES, August 15, 2008- Atheists United, an organization dedicated to advancing the cause of atheism and secular government, criticizes the choice of both presumptive presidential nominees to submit to being questioned by Evangelical preacher Rick Warren as part of his ongoing “Civil Forum” series at his congregation, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. The event, which will be carried live by CNN and will be covered by all major news networks, has the distinction of being the first joint appearance by Democrat Barak Obama and Republican John McCain in this closely watched campaign. Many secular Americans will see the candidate’s participation in this forum as an implicit endorsement of Evangelical political clout and a sad indicator of the diminished tradition of the separation of church and state in today’s politics.
Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, in this event's official press release, admits that his primary goals for hosting the Saddleback Civil Forum include, "...[to] proclaim the Gospel Truth of salvation in Jesus Christ,..." and "...helping the Church regain credibility..." With such stated goals at the heart of Warren's ongoing forums, one wonders why any candidate running to be the president of this secular nation would agree to make this forum the first on the campaign trail or agree to participate in such an event, controlled by one preacher whose views represent a narrow segment of our diverse country, at all.
“There are good reasons for the separation of church and state,” says Stuart Bechman, President for Atheists United, “ and by appearing in this forum, the two candidates and the two political parties are clearly showing a preference for the religious practices and beliefs – and the political agendas derived from those beliefs - represented by this church and its pastor. The church and its pastor couldn’t buy better coverage to promote its own narrow sectarian message.”
Bechman also serves as vice-president for Atheist Alliance International.
Brian Parra, Atheists United’s Director of Communications and Membership says, "Certainly the Evangelicals are an important voting block and I don't fault the candidates for courting them, but the impropriety of scheduling this as the first joint appearance of the two candidates in this historic election, whether it's officially a debate or not, demonstrates a lack of commitment to the separation of church and state and highlights the disproportional ascendancy of Evangelicals in our political process.”
Media Contacts for Atheists United:Stuart Bechman-President
It's the first joint appearance because of Rick Warren's scheduling, which otherwise seems rather strange because it competed with the Olympics. They felt Warren's invitation needed to be accepted. I see no indication either candidate maneuvered to have an evangelical event the first joint appearance of the campaign season. One might say it is some ways not a good timing because the appearances closest to the election are likely to have most impact. Atheists are just unhappy that so many Americans identify as Christians. Blaming this on the candidates is stupid.
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Bill Samuel (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 445 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Aug 17, 2008 at 7:14:50 PM
"...[to] proclaim the Gospel Truth of salvation in Jesus Christ,..." and "...helping the Church regain credibility..."
What this says to me is that his church and his ministry are not successful at teaching his flock and he is seeking political help to "enforce" his views on everyone via legislation.
I have no problem with church teachings per se, but I have a problem when any church or pastor believes he/she has a right to use government to spread a private message of faith outside his own church.
When they do this they are advertising that their own teaching is failing them. Our government says, in effect, that he can believe what he wants, he can teach his flock what they want, but that I am still free to believe what I want and that government shall not do anything to respect any particular religions belief.
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Paul Kruger (39 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 304 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 3:26:14 PM
I'm sure I have read somewhere that Our Founders wanted there to be no religious test in oreder to hold Public Office. Though there is not any separation of Church and State in Our Constitution. Even if both Madison and Jefferson had wished there was. It only says that Congress shall make no law regarding religion. With the damaging stone throwing I see around from the MEDIA-RIGHT-STORM there should be a law to keep their legalistic ways out of Our Lives!
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Michael Dewey (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 245 comments [12 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 7:18:06 PM
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