Welcome back!
Religion is at the heart of this political campaign. Candidates are involved in efforts to persuade religious voters by traveling to particular locations associated with specific religious groups.
In a transparent effort to persuade Catholic Hispanic voters, John McCain has traveled to Mexico.
McCain, whose home state of Arizona borders Mexico, began the day at Mexico City’s famed Basilica de Guadalupe, the country’s holiest site for Catholics. (“McCain To Meet Mexican President”)
McCain not only visited the site, he received the blessing of the monsignor.
The Republican received a blessing from the basilica’s monsignor, laid a wreath of white roses at the altar and stood atop the Papal balcony there. (“MCain To Meet Mexican President.” )
There is nothing innocent in such gestures. Through Christian history, kings and emperors have sought the blessing of the Church. Politicians do the same. Blessings from the clergy, laying roses on an altar, and an appearance on the Papal balcony are all religious actions, done in an effort to demonstrate that God is on the side of the candidate. These are powerful strategies of persuasion.
Meanwhile, Barack Obama has gone into the lion’s den by going to Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs is the home of Dr. James Dobson, of “Focus on the Family,” who recently characterized Obama as distorting traditional understanding of the Bible.
“I think he’s deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology,” Dobson said. (“Dobson: Obama ‘Distorting’ Bible, Pushing ‘Fruitcake Interpretation’ of Constitution“)
Obama’s choice of Christian conservative Colorado Springs for his visit showed the degree to which he is courting Republican religious voters and trying to make McCain compete for their affections. (“McCain To Meet Mexican President.”)
My point is that candidates are attempting to persuade potential voters on religious grounds. As time goes on, we will see political candidates continue to make pilgrimages to religious sites, to seek the approval of religious leaders.
As voters and observers of the political scene, our task is to be aware of how such strategies are used as means of persuasion and manipulation.
Dr. Kalinda Rose Stevenson
Recent Comments