U.S. Government Endorses one Faith
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A presidents faith matters to many Americans. When John F. Kennedy, a Catholic, was elected president, many questions circulated about whether he would take orders from the Pope. The constitution enshrines clearly that religion is not a prerequisite to attaining public office, but yet Kennedy remains the only Catholic to become president. Although it is legally fine for non-Christian to become president, the lack of one to date lies in the suggestion that many Americans are not ready to vote for one. In a 2007 Pew survey, 45% of Americans said they would be less likely to vote for a Muslim, whereas only 6% said they would be less likely to vote for someone who is black. Many people rely on the professed Christian faith of their presidents because it gives a hint to his or her beliefs. Christianity is the largest religion in American (about 76%), and thus many of these voters believe that Christianity teaches the best morals and beliefs. The negative media against the Islamic faith has made it nearly impossible for a professed Muslim to become president any time in the near future. This is the reason why President Obamas faith has been questioned so many times. Many Americans are not willing to accept a Muslim president for fear of violent and corrupt morals. However, Muslim representatives have been elected to Congress, such as Andre Carson and Keith Ellison. Is there a religious test in place currently? Perhaps not legally, but socially the American people cannot accept a Muslim as their president. As for other religious denominations, they are too much a minority to gather much support, but it is always a possibility. As long as American citizens can trust a non-Christian to be moral and fair, the social religious test may fade away.
There are a few facts that present in our government that do endorse one religion or a group of religions. “In God we trust,” and “one nation under God,” are sayings that are unconstitutional because they violate the establishment clause of the constitution. These statements say that atheists who do not trust in God have incorrect religious beliefs. There is not legitimate secular purpose to adding religious statements to our currency except that they are historical of the nations forefathers. They serve to advance religion over no religion, not necessarily one over all religions. The words on our currency were added to show that this country is a religious country. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase received a letter in 1861 urging him to add a statement that would make it clear that Americans follow the path of God, and so he did. If one looks at a nickel, it can be seen that the word America is directly behind the word God, but separation of church and state means more than a centimeter. These phrases that contain God within them do not endorse one religion. It does not force anyone to believe in a God or a certain religion. However,