Ten Commandments for a proper relationship between religion & politics
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Based on Ten Commandments by David Saperstein and revised by Brent Walker
June 1, 2008
For Candidates:
1. Thou shalt offer an explanation to the electorate about how your religious beliefs shape your views on the issues, but never justify policy only on religious beliefs.
2. Thou shalt discuss your views on policy and legal issues that directly affect religion and religious liberty.
3. Thou shalt feel free to use religious language to explain how your beliefs would affect your ability to perform in elected office
4. Thou shalt feel free to discuss the role religion plays in shaping your values, character and worldview.
5. Thou shalt minimize the use of divisive and exclusive religious language.
For political campaigns and parties:
6. Thou shalt not seek to organize partisan supporters in houses of worship but should respect their sacred spaces.
For religious groups and leaders:
7. Thou shalt not use religious authority, threats or discipline to coerce the political decisions of candidates and American citizens.
For voters:
8. Thou shalt not base your votes on a candidate’s religious beliefs or practices.
9. Thou shalt not blame candidates for isolated, out of context, statements of their pastors and spiritual advisers.
For everyone:
10. Thou shalt never, explicitly or implicitly, suggest that there is a religious test for holding office.
