(Emily Hermosillo/Clarion/Logos)
The separation of church and state has been embedded in our Constitution throughout our nation’s history. But few would argue that there wasn’t some influence from Christianity during the founding of our nation.
To this day, the relationship between religion and politics is a topic of discussion when it comes to presidential campaigns.
While there is no religious requirement to hold office, evidence shows voters do care what a candidate believes in.
According to Pew Research, of the 43 presidents that have held office, only three have not declared a faith. And of the remaining 40, only one did not belong to some form of a Christian denomination.
John F. Kennedy received a great deal of flak during his presidential run in 1960 simply for being Catholic. There were those stating concern that the president would be taking orders from the Pope.
Barack Obama, eight years ago, was at the center of controversy concerning his religious upbringing. Though he has declared to be of Christian faith, the swirl of a possible tie to Muslim faith is not far from the minds of religious fanatics. Fast forward to today and we find ourselves witnessing another issue of religion and politics.
This time it concerns Donald Trump and the double standard that has been driving me mad.
Trump and his perpetual double-hand waving attacks have taken aim at the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
When Pope Francis made a visit to Mexico, he said, “A person who only thinks of building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.”
The Pope, being the human representative of the Catholic faith, knows that we should love our neighbors as ourselves knowing to reach out and help rather than denying or ignoring them.
Trump called the Pope’s remarks disgraceful and also blasted back at the Pope in a way that implied a threat to not help the Roman Catholic Church if ISIS were to attack them.
There is a lot to be said that the potential leader of the free world would cease to help someone and throw out all sense of diplomacy.
What is more frustrating is that if Obama, a democratic candidate or even possibly a conservative were to challenge a religious figure like the Pope the way Trump has, his or her campaign would have been sunk by now.
Despite this, Trump continues to win state primaries and caucuses and has a dominant lead for the Republican nomination for president.
I am struggling to see any positive light emanating from Trump. His hate mongering to groups of people including Muslims, Mexicans and even his own political party, seem so apparent that it is baffling to me that he has such a huge following.
The election very well may not come down to Trump’s religious standing, but I do believe it will come down to his character.
I have faith that the American public will stop Donald Trump from over taking the Oval Office with actions of hatred and bigotry.
