(Former) Democratic Presidential Candidates on Church & State
Quotes and Opinions
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For most atheists, an important issue when it comes to the presidential election is the candidates' position on the separation of church and state. It's not the only issue, that is true, but it is very important.
To learn more about where the various (former!) Democratic candidates for the presidency stand on the separation of church and state as well as related matters involving religion and government (like President Bush's so-called "faith-based" initiative), follow the various links below which will take you to original quotes and some commentary.
Howard Dean on Faith-Based Initiatives
"[F]reedom of religion is a bedrock American value. We are all free to practice our own religions
precisely because the government does not regulate religion. This cherished freedom is in
jeopardy."
Read More...
Joe Lieberman Still Flunks on Separation
"I know that some people believe that faith has no place in the so-called public square," said
Mr. Lieberman, an observant Jew. "They forget that the constitutional separation of church and
state, which I strongly support, promises freedom of religion, not freedom from religion."
Read More...
Joe Lieberman on Religious Symbols in Public Areas
"I strongly believe in the separation of church and state and the right of every American to
worship or not worship as they see fit. But I don't believe that the First Amendment was ever
intended to remove from the public square all displays and expressions of faith or prohibit the
inclusion of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, as some courts have found and
some groups advocate."
Read More...
Howard Dean to Promote Religion
He ... opposes the placement of the Ten Commandments in a courthouse, is uncomfortable with a
prayer invocation before a congressional session, though he would leave the matter to Congress,
and is not bothered by the phrase ''under God'' in the Pledge of Allegiance. On the issue of a
moment of silence in schools, Dean said, ''Whatever the courts say is OK with me.'' The US
Supreme Court has struck down state-required moments of silence in schools. Of the president's
faith-based initiative for social services, Dean said, it is ''overdone.''
Read More...
Wesley Clark on Church/State Separation
Clark also was asked if his belief in the separation of church and state includes the removal of
"In God We Trust" from U.S. currency and the reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance. "I'm
comfortable with God in our currency and in the Pledge," he said, adding "it's up to the
courts."
Read More...
Wesley Clark on Church State Separation, Part 2
"Reverence for the separation of church and state is also central to American patriotism. Freedom
of religion is a founding principle of our nation that has been attracting people to our shores
for centuries. That's why I believe that federally supported programs should be free from
entanglement with religion."
Read More...
Wesley Clark on Religious Symbols in Public Areas
"Religion plays an important role in my life and has an important role to play in our culture.
We are a very religious and very diverse nation. We have strong faith, and we rely on that faith
to guide our decision making. That is the role that religion should play. I strongly believe, as
our founding fathers understood, that in order for a diverse people with strongly held
individual beliefs to form a strong democracy government must be separate from religion -- both
to protect religious faith and diversity of faith. I don't think that federal courts that have
upheld this separation, a matter of settled constitutional law, have gone too far."
Read More...
Dennis Kucinich on Church/State Separation
"Domestically, it important for us to remember that our Constitution protects all of us to
worship as we choose in the faith of our choice. Our founding fathers recognized that for us to
enjoy religious freedom, there must be a complete separation of church and state. This does not
keep spirituality out of our public lives, nor should it. It does, however, ensure that our
government does not favor any one religion or another."
Read More...
Dennis Kucinich on Religious Symbols in Public Areas
"I think it's important to remember that our Constitution protects all of us to worship as we
choose in the faith of our choice. Our Founding Fathers recognized that for us to enjoy
religious freedom there must be a complete separation of Church and State. ... By removing the
trappings of religion from our public schools, courthouses, and other institutions of municipal,
state and federal government we actually increase the freedom of everyone to freely and openly
practice the beliefs of their choice..."
Read More...
John Kerry on Church/State Separation
"I will vigorously protect the separation of church and state. Diversity, freedom of choice and
freedom of religion are among the defining characteristics of our nation. I believe we can be
people of faith while respecting the principles that are enshrined in our Constitution."
Read More...
John Edwards on Vouchers and Religion
"Faith is enormously important to me personally and to tens of millions of Americans. In
addition, religious institutions do wonderful work and make important contributions to our
society. In a manner consistent with the First Amendment, faith-based charities should be able
to participate in delivering services."
Read More...
Carol Moseley Braun on Vouchers and Religion
"Voucher programs drain needed dollars from under-funded public schools while not ensuring that
every public-school student has a seat in a private school. As an Illinois legislator and a U.S.
senator, I fought to protect and fund public education. As president I will work to ensure that
every American child has access to a quality public education." (Note: Carl Moseley Braun has
dropped out of the race and has endorsed Howard Dean, but I'm keeping a link here to her
comments for the sake of the record)
Read More...
Al Sharpton on Religious Symbols in Public Areas
"he courts have not gone too far in maintaining the separation of church and state in public
places. Our public places should not be used to put forth any particular religious viewpoint or
message. Christian symbols and language have their place in many venues, homes and places of
worship, but should not be placed in government buildings or public property any more than
symbols of other faiths such as Islam or Judaism have any place in our courtrooms and publicareas."
Read More...
