Numbers show victory for Bush, Christian worldview morality

Editor:

Un-American. Undemocratic. I have heard these words in recent days describing the election this year and the people who participated in it. I must then ask, “What is democratic or American?” We voted on November 2nd and re-elected George W. Bush. Yet, many people claim that Senator Kerry lost the election because the Conservative Christians came out and voted against him as if the process was unfair. In essence, Christians in the United States voted (which they have the right to do as citizens), and somehow critics say they skewed the election results. Furthermore, in a CNN exit poll, 10 percent of voters claim no religion at all, and another 15 percent never attend church. About 66 percent of this group voted in favor of Senator Kerry. Since their religious outlook more than likely influenced their choice, did they also distort the election?

I also have heard accusations that the Conservative Christians are “intolerant” and “bigoted” because they want to limit other people’s rights. So let me get this straight, Americans should be tolerant of all viewpoints except the Christian worldview because it isn’t all-inclusive. However, those who accuse Christians of “forcing their viewpoints on others” are trying to do the same to Christians by not “tolerating” their perspective.

While our nation is not a theocracy, it definitely has its roots in Judeo-Christian ethics. In his Farewell Address, George Washington stated that, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.” In a letter, he also wrote, “Religion and morality are essential pillars of civil society.” Our first President felt that moral issues were a key part of government and culture. In a letter to a friend, John Adams declared that, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” These two men are among the many founders who believed that Judeo-Christian ethics were essential to our nation. If these two founding fathers recognized the importance of morals, then shouldn’t we also focus on the role of values in today’s government and society?

Also in the last election, 11 states overwhelmingly voted across party lines for their respective governments to protect the definition of marriage. I find it hard to believe that 75 percent of Georgia and 86 percent of Mississippi are Conservative Christians. Evidently, a large amount of other voters felt the government should intervene into this moral issue. The citizens directly decided on an amendment to their State Constitutions, which sounds very democratic and American to me.

Sincerely,
Sam Rauschenberg
Sophomore
Political Science

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Dec 3 2004. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry