What Are We Electing?

I believe one of the evangelical Christian leaders who endorsed Mitt Romney commented that he was supporting him for Commander-In-Chief and not Pastor-In-Chief. Yet, it does seem that a candidate's religion is more important than ever in his or her electability.

Jimmy Carter's run for the Presidency was the start, of course. His campaign brought what was an evangelical sub-culture -those who were "born-again" - to the forefront. In 1976, the country as a whole rushed to understand what we who lived in the South understood instinctively, namely what the phrase "born-again" signified. It is appropriate, I think that the lectionary passage of a few weeks ago was the Johannine story of Nicodemus meeting Jesus.

The conservative Christians who had flocked to support Carter soon abandoned him. With the formation of the Moral Majority, Jerry Falwell and others not only put religion on center stage, but put their particular understanding of religion on center stage. Interestingly, they threw their support to Ronald Reagan in 1980, and the phenomenon of the power of the Religious Right in the Republican Party was born.

Now, though, it seems that many are still more interested in having a Pastor-In-Chief leading the country. The Interfaith Alliance has compiled this list of "Top Ten Moments in the race for 'Pastor-in-Chief.'"
10. Mitt Romney is asked if he believes "every word" of the Bible (CNN/You Tube debate (11-28-07).
9. CNN's Soledad O'Brien asks John Edwards to "name his greatest sin" (CNN/Sojourners town hall 6-26-07).
8. James Dobson tells a reporter he does not think that Fred Thompson is a Christian (3-27-07).
7. Barack Obama distributes a campaign flier describing himself as a "Committed Christian" (1-21-08).
6. Hillary Clinton said we need to "inject faith into policy" (CNN/Sojourners town hall 6-26-07).
5. Mike Huckabee explains his rise in the polls by invoking the Biblical story of two fish and five loaves feeding a crowd of 5,000 people (11-28-07).
4. Tim Russert asks all the Democratic candidates to "name their favorite Bible verse" (MSNBC 9-26-07).
3. John McCain says the Constitution established the United States as a Christian nation and that he would prefer a Christian president (9-27-07).
2. Barack Obama asked a congregation to help him "become an instrument of God" and join him in creating "a Kingdom right here on Earth" (10-17-07).
1. Mike Huckabee tells a crowd: "What we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards" (1-14-08).

Are these the questions or statements that are really of significance for the President of the United States in 2008? Perhaps, we ought to decide whether there really is a religious test for office in America, despite what the Constitution says, or not.