Group discusses religion in politics

During a discussion held Friday at the Poynter Center, law professor Daniel Conkle addressed the intersection of politics and religion, including the "religion gap" among voters and the separation of church and state.\nThirty-five people, including students, professors and retired faculty members, listened to Conkle's introduction before the panel was opened to questions. \nConkle said the "religion gap" in politics favors Republicans, citing a poll that found more than 60 percent of Americans like President Bush's religious rhetoric and only 14 percent think he talks about his faith too much.\n"There is a religion gap in politics," Conkle said. "And the Democrats are on the losing side."\nConkle strengthened his point by listing the past Democratic presidents.\n"Look who the Democrats have gotten into the Oval Office the last 25 years," he said. "Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton."\nConkle said part of the reason for those two selections are the former presidents' religious roots.\nHe also said a great number of people not associated with any religion tend to side to the left.\n"Where are the atheists? Where are the agnostics?" he said. "They're overwhelmingly Democrats."\nConkle, who is also an adjunct religious studies teacher, led discussions of the issue of separation of church and state in American politics. \n"I think the separation of church and state is a marvelous thing," said Bloomington resident Rita Lichtenberg. "Just stand up for what you believe in. I don't care where you got it."\nBut IU graduate student Brian Starks said the state of America requires people to have a basis for their beliefs.\n"Democracy is dynamic," Starks said. "That's great that we know what you believe in, but you have to give reasons for them."\nLichtenberg, though, said religious beliefs have shaky foundations.\n"If you base it on God, there's no real verification," she said.\nThough Bush's religion is helpful in the U.S., Conkle said one reason Bush is having strained foreign relations is his religious fervor. Germans and the French tend to dislike Bush, in part because his reliance on faith "drives Europeans crazy," Conkle said.\n"Regarding American politics and global politics, it may be a different stage" regarding religion, he said.\nConkle also said while Democrats have been making an effort to bridge the religion gap by speaking more openly about their own religious convictions, he said there has not been an effort by Republicans to garner the votes of the nonreligious.\n"I haven't seen Bush reach out to atheists," he said. "And I don't think you will anytime soon."\n-- Contact senior writer Rick Newkirk at renewkir@indiana.edu.