by David Chaproniere

Created on: August 22, 2007

Faith can be perceived in a number of ways. It can be interpreted as a person's deep-rooted religious beliefs; or his or her religion by baptism; or his or her family historical religious background. The question "Should one's faith influence a citizen's vote?" can therefore be interpreted in various ways, and so my response is based on my own interpretation of the question, of whether a person's deep-rooted religious beliefs should influence the way he or she votes.

This interpretation arises from my perception, as an outsider, of America: that the core, Christian, right-wing Middle American has a huge influence on which way the vote swings, and that influence is likely to be Republican based on anti-abortion, anti-gay, pro-gun ownership, stringent law and order, and "hawk"-inspired foreign policies. However, in focusing on these issues, the broader political spectrum - the economy, diplomacy, and social welfare among them - are sidelined.

A true democracy is always secular. At least, that is the general view the West holds dear. Theocracies are regarded with suspicion; just look at the present debates over Iran, fundamentally a democratic nation and yet regarded as a theocratic fundamentalist state. Fears are also being expressed over the Islamic government's recent confirmed victory in otherwise secular Turkey, with fears that the country might descend into a theocracy and the Turkish military suggesting action may be taken if the country should lurch towards a religious state. Yet ironically, if people vote according to their faith in a country such as the USA, and that vote has a sufficient influence on US government, how does that make the USA any "better" than, say, Iran or Turkey?

However, nothing is that clear-cut. America, as anywhere else, has its own religious fundamentalists who have their own radical agendas. But there are those of faith who have more liberal views - who tolerate gays, tolerate women priests, understand the more complicated issues surrounding abortion, disapprove of the death penalty, tolerate couples cohabiting before marriage, etc - and who will also follow their conscience at the ballot box just as much as the fundamentalists do.

So what of morals? Some might argue that people of faith should uphold the morals instilled in them by their religion, and that would include at the ballot box. The issue here, though, is that people of faith do not hold a monopoly on morals. Just because someone does not have a faith, or has chosen not

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