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Separate secular, religious issues

Whoa. Time out. Let’s critically think about the role of the theological in a secular democratic republic. There are 40,000 Christian denominations in the United States; do we really want denominational religious wars fought in political arena, in the ballot box, and in the construction of government policy and practice? Is it appropriate for a president to profess that he does God’s will? If so, is the will of the people being neglected?

The secular issues that need to be addressed by both the Democrats and the Republicans deserve more attention than the coverage given to the theologies of Jeremiah Wright and John Hagee. We were founded as a democratic republic and have been a beacon of light for all nations that value a multitude of freedoms — not the least of which is the separation of church and state. If the religious and the secular continue to be morphed into one then the United States of America will become a Theocracy — “A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god” — The Oxford Dictionary.

Are Wright and Hagee running for political office? Could be! If they are we had better think about their views of war, poverty, natural disasters, starvation, genocide, etc.

It is critical that a the “informed electorate” start being fully informed to the secular issues and the secular solution to those issues that are indeed worthy of serious reasoned reflection and consideration: war, the economy, health care, the environment, education, foreign relations, veteran issues, etc.

Dr. HUGH J. PHILLIPS
Albany

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