The Drury Mirror

Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Voices

A display of the Ten Commandments rests outside of a courthouse in Cross City, Florida. The ACLU has challenged the constituionality of the display.

In the 2006 film Amazing Grace a group of friends encourages British Parliament member William Wilberforce to pursue a career in politics rather than a career in the ministry. When he appears torn between choosing one over the other, a guest at the table tells him he doesn't have to choose and suggests that he can do both. Wilberforce heeds her advice and embarks on a career highlighted by efforts to abolish the British slave trade and reforming schools and conditions in prisons in the country.

Wilberforce got his inspiration from his Christian faith, and to listen to just about every candidate up for election in 2008 there's a heavy emphasis on religion. Despite being members of what's generally accepted as the more secular party in American politics, both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton took part in a faith and values forum in which their personal views on religion and spirituality were central themes to the discussion.

Those who believe religion has no place in the American political system have a long way to go; just looking at the relevance of Mike Huckabee's tenure as the pastor of a megachurch, the extent of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's influence on Barack Obama, and other faith-related topics demonstrate the continuing relevance of religion in our politics.

True, our constitution postulates that our government shall be free of established religion. But it's also important that the United States has been largely free of the religious strife that marked European history for centuries-or the Islamic world today. In several Middle Eastern states, Islamic law dictates under what circumstance a woman is allowed in public, how people shall sit in restaurants, and whether or not individuals are allowed to possess books and other pieces of intellectual property.

In the United States, religion has a tough time manifesting itself through the display of the Ten Commandments. Certainly today it's almost completely free of the abuses previously mentioned. Mainly, though, both Republicans and Democrats can claim a history of accepting religion in public life as William Wilberforce did: something to benefit the American common good.

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