Principles Matter — Faith
This article is part of our Principled Voter series.
Does faith have a role to play in politics? In a democracy, it does. But let’s be precise about what that means.
“We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” — Articles of Faith 1:11
Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our democracy, allowing people to live in civic harmony with one another without sacrificing their convictions. Throughout our history, religious leaders and faith communities have played crucial roles in building a more perfect union.
The Constitution established a separation of church and state, and it protects our right to practice our beliefs as we choose — as long as our beliefs do not harm others. Let’s talk about what that should look like:
✓ Religious communities can provide a bulwark against division. Shared values around individual worth, service to those in need, a desire to fight injustice, and peaceful civic participation encourage us to care for each other better.
✕ Religion can be abused to consolidate political power, provide cover for extremism and racial subjugation, or write doctrine into law.
✓Faith communities commonly uphold America’s founding idea of religious pluralism. We thrive together when people of many different beliefs co-exist and cooperate in our system of self-governance.
✕ When organizations attempt to elevate a single religious group above others, suppress religious belief altogether, or disadvantage those who are not religious, they can exclude and even oppress minority communities. In extremely destructive cases, groups use religion to justify violence and intimidation of others.
✓ Religious groups create strong communities united around beliefs that transcend politics. They bring together people of diverse political beliefs, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds to worship and serve.
✕ Religious or political groups might highlight and manipulate differences in belief in order to divide. “Us vs. them” narratives are used to gain supporters by presenting differences as threatening.
✓ Supporting religious freedom goes hand in hand with protecting other democratic rights, including the right to vote.
✕ Anyone claiming to represent our nation’s “true religion” is sidelining the Constitution and may work to restrict or eliminate the rights of others. Religious objections may be cited as a defense for suppressing civic participation by communities outside that faith group.
Our faith can inspire us to live by our highest values — and to sacrifice and work to change harmful practices and laws. Principled voters consider whether their vote will harm others, and they use their vote to create a better shared future.
Voting for candidates who support religious freedom is essential if we want to build the Beloved Community — a nation where people of all faiths can contribute meaningfully to a peaceful and prosperous future.
Principles matter. Hope votes.
