Why Not Religious Honesty From Candidates?

     One of the things I've noticed for several years now, and especially in this election year, is the media's preoccupation with the candidate's religion. This preoccupation is NOT so much about a candidate's specific faith as it is about his transparency regarding it. I mean, for instance, Rick Santorum has been asked over and over again about his stance on social and moral issues, and then attacked when he states what they are!

    Now, I don't know Mr. Santorum personally so I don't know anything that is not available for everyone else to see and it is perfectly fine, in my view, if Mr. Santorum wants to tell us where he stands on social and moral issues. Why is it somehow wrong to have a belief? Why is it wrong for a candidate to say, "I'm a Christian" or "I'm a Mormon" or "I'm a Quaker", or "I'm a Roman Catholic?"

I like to know who I'm dealing with and we are talking about a person who may end up as president of the United States! In fact, who can really say what President Obama believes? I would really like for him to come out and state his beliefs clearly. That way I would know absolutely what to expect from him. Instead he has been secretive in revealing his belief system while all the while working behind the scenes to be anything but supportive of our country's Judeo-Christian traditions.

    How is it that we demand to know all of the ingredients that go into the foods we purchase? It's because we're intending to consume those foods and we want to know what we're eating. Why are the ingredients on some cleaning supplies? It's because we want to know if they contain poisons or if they may be harmful if mixed with others. Why are warning labels placed on certain products? It's because we need to know the potential harm they might bring!              

Transparency is beautiful too!

                                                                                                      

     Frankly, I wish there would have been a warning label on Barak Obama for EVERYONE to see! So, when Rick Santorum speaks openly about his beliefs, I like it! I know where he stands and his reputation is one of consistency. I liked it when Newt Gingrich admitted to moral failure and said he sought forgiveness for it. That kind of honesty is helpful to understanding a person. I like it when Ron Paul says exactly what he believes. It helps me to recognize those places where I agree with him and those places I don't.

     Somehow the news media finds fault with honesty. How can this be? They seem to think that the candidates can believe anything they wish so long as they keep it a secret and that is somehow good. In other words, they would rather a person have a secret agenda, that can take us unawares, then to have a man that is open about his faith and leanings. That's why they hated Ronald Reagan, and that's why they hate Rick Santorum! I like honesty. I may not like a person, or I may not like his agenda, but I will respect his honesty.

   In fact, I really want to see more of it. It doesn't bother me when Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich or anyone else talks about their mistakes and admits to them. And I'm not going to hold something that a man did 20 years ago against him because I know that NOW is different!