Religion forms virtues vital to democratic citizenship. Religion calls citizens to transcend self-interest in service to others-to those in need, to neighbor, to community, and to country. Religion promotes fundamental moral values necessary for civilized public life-honor and honesty, charity and justice. Religion has brought hope and liberty toAmerica's powerless and disenfranchised, and its teachings have inspired our country's most admirable achievements.
Yet in this year's presidential campaign, we are troubled to see candidates pressed to pronounce the nature of their religious beliefs, asked if they believe every word of the Bible, gratuitously warned by religious authorities about reception of sacraments, forced to fend off derogatory and false allegations of Muslim childhood education, and faced with prejudicial analyses of their denominational doctrines.
Exclusionary religious rhetoric by candidates and constant scrutiny of the minutiae of their faiths undermine religion's valuable role in public life. It also runs contrary to the unique American commitment to both religious freedom and non-establishment of religion. History is replete with examples of religion compromised by its collusion with power, and the role of religion in the current campaign raises concern that it is once again being misused.
As citizens of many faiths united in efforts to reinvigorate religion's role in the public square, we are convinced that the greatest protection for that role is clear and unambiguous support for both religious expression and non-establishment of religion. Following Article VI of the U. S. Constitution and the First Amendment, we identify three basic principles.
* No person should be expected to leave their faith at the door when operating in the public square. But it is inappropriate to use religious or doctrinal differences to marginalize or disparage candidates, by either comparison or assertion. No religious test may be applied to candidates for public office - not by the law, not by candidates, not by campaigns.
* Candidates for public office should welcome the contributions that religion brings to society. But just as government may not endorse or favor a religious faith, candidates for public office are obliged, intheir official capacity, to acknowledge that no faith can lay exclusive claim to the moral values that enrich our public life.
* Just as government policies must be in service to the nation and not to any religious faith, the same holds true for candidates' positions on policies. While it is appropriate for candidates to connect their faith to their policy positions, their positions on policy must respect all citizens regardless of religious belief.
Statement written by Stephen Schneck, Professor at Catholic University, Washington DC.
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