tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34869425.post-20794278687387399702007-08-25T06:15:00.000-04:002007-08-25T06:15:00.000-04:00Regarding this statement: "The proper question for a candidate for office is not where does he worship, but how does his religion influence his policymaking." This may seems right at first glance (Article Six of the Constitution problems aside), but in fact, seldom would a specific doctrinal belief directly influence policymaking. Rather, it is the sum total of influences by a religion that *may* inform the ethical and moral values held by that person. It is then those values, (such as freedom of choice, agency, personal accountability, sacredness of life, hard work, fairness, justice, etc), that underly policy decisions. The discussion about what might or might not inform Romney's past and future policy decisions should focus on what values he actually holds and how past and current decisions and behaviors reflect those values (ie a measure of personal integrity), not on how he came to those values. Perhaps the "proper quesiton" is "what are the 'fruits' of the candidate's value system?" And as properly implied earlier, different religions may hold similar values, and many adherents to a particular religion may come to different ultimate values (for whatever reason) and political views. I find this media-wide wallowing in Gov Romney's religion, trying to make a story where there is none, and judging what is "Christian" and what is not distasteful in general.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com