When Religion Is

A Political Consideration

To the Editor:

I find it curious that discussion of Sarah Palin’s qualifications seldom include the relevance of her religious views. A candidate’s religious faith should be a private matter, but when these beliefs impinge on public policy they should be critically examined.

Sarah Palin’s fundamentalism backs a right-wing domestic agenda and a foreign policy noted for viewing dissent as unpatriotic if not satanically inspired. Her hope that the Iraq war is “God’s plan” shows a contempt for the constitutionally guaranteed right of separation of church and state and is disturbingly similar to the pronouncements of fundamentalist Islamic terrorists. Her church is Wasilla Bible Church, whose pastor Larry Kroon welcomed as guest speaker last month David Brickner, the leader of Jews for Jesus, who said that terrorist attacks on Israelis are God’s judgment against Jews who have not embraced Christianity.

Barack Obama has repudiated Reverend Wright’s intemperate remarks; I’m waiting for Palin to renounce Brickner’s. Sarah Palin also worships at the Juneau Christian Center, where displays like speaking in tongues are encouraged, hardly rational behavior most of us would expect from a vice president or potential president of the United States.

I am also concerned about the adverse effects of Sarah Palin’s fundamentalist beliefs on the future of education and science. It’s been well-documented that the lack of leadership at the top in the Bush administration has led to the suppression and distortion of scientific findings for political ends. A leader whose understanding of the natural world is shaped mainly by religious indoctrination cannot foster a climate of free and independent scientific inquiry so crucially needed for the health and safety of our citizens and the environment in our 21st Century society.

Sarah Palin wants creationism to be included in the science curriculum of our schools; this is a direct assault on the integrity of our teachers and our schools and does not bode well for progress in the biological sciences. As a religious fundamentalist, Sarah Palin believes the earth is about 4,000 years old. Having a vice president so scientifically illiterate would be embarrassing and would be a continuation of the Bush administration’s dumbing down of America making us the laughing stock of educated peoples of the world. Our country cannot afford the irresponsible leadership of a Sarah Palin.

Richard Horvath

7 Phyllis Lane, Newtown                                      September 24, 2008