The apparent willingness to denounce public figures’ personal religious convictions – and then support or oppose them politically on that basis – is pernicious. That very old and universal human temptation is precisely what the Founding Fathers were attempting to suppress when they made unconstitutional the practice of administering religious tests for public office. But when personal opposition to gay behavior becomes a firing offense, or a candidate’s private religious beliefs are deemed render him unfit for public office per se, political discourse is trending dangerously close to that line.
America may well be proud of the strides it has taken to ensure that neither sex nor skin color constitutes a barrier to success in the United States. Certainly, much of the impetus for greater inclusiveness has been inspired by the Judeo-Christian principles that have animated so much of American life. It would be ironic – and sad – if, having come so far in so many areas, religion became the one area where bigotry and discrimination remained socially acceptable.
Carol Platt Liebau
Carol Platt Liebau is an attorney, political commentator and guest radio talk show host based near New York. Learn more about her new book, "Prude: How the Sex-Obsessed Culture Hurts Young Women (and America, Too!)"
here.