In the first presidential debate of 1984, Ronald Reagan was talking about his religious faith: “I don’t believe that I could carry on unless I had a belief in a higher authority and a belief that prayers are answered.” One of the reporters asking questions of Reagan and Mondale followed up by asking, “Given those beliefs, Mr. President, why don’t you attend services regularly, either by going to church or by inviting a minister to the White House, as President Nixon used to do, or someone to Camp David, as President Carter used to do.”
Reagan stumbled slightly, but responded, “The answer to your question is very simple – about why I don’t go to church. I start – I have gone to church regularly all my life. And I started to here in Washington. And now, in the position I hold and in the world in which we live, where embassies do get blown up in Beirut, we’re supposed to talk about that in the – on the debate the 21st, I understand. But I pose a threat to several hundred people if I go to church.”
Now, people can take issue with Reagan’s explanation (indeed, many did), but I’ve always believed the question itself was inappropriate. I understand the point — there’s a certain hypocrisy in Reagan presenting himself as the pious candidate, but neglecting to go to church — but the presidency has nothing to do with attending weekly religious services. The Constitution’s prohibition on a religious test for public office should make this point rather clear.
Thankfully, the question hasn’t come up much since. Throughout the ’90s, few made note of the fact that Clinton attended church weekly, and for the last eight years, even fewer have emphasized the fact that Bush doesn’t. It’s a private matter.
Except that might not be the case this year. David Brody, the in-house blogger for TV preacher Pat Robertson’s CBN, asked yesterday, “Are We Going to Start Comparing Church Attendance Records?”
Do you care if the President of the United States attends Church? My bet is the majority of Americans would say yes.
As Ron Chusid explained, “Not only do they care if he attends, but some are now keeping score as to how often.”
Brody noted this piece from the extremely-conservative WorldNetDaily.
Is the Hollywood star-turned-politician a true believer? Thompson’s chances at capturing the GOP primary may rest on the answer, thanks to the growing electoral clout of Christian conservatives. Professor Mark Elrod of Harding University said he doubts Thompson is “filling out an attendance card at a Church of Christ on Sundays.”
The political scientist says he hasn’t been able to find any information regarding the former senator’s actual membership in a local congregation in his home state of Tennessee. “In our tradition,” Elrod said, “that’s called ‘being out of fellowship’ or a ‘lapsed member.'”
On his blog, the professor challenged the Church of Christ faithful to produce evidence they’ve seen Thompson “at an assembly of a Church of Christ (Stone-Campbell) in the last 20 years.” So far nobody has met the challenge. Specifically, Elrod is soliciting any information about Thompson having: Taught a Bible class, Presided at the Lord’s table, Served as a greeter, Or led singing. (“If it was 728b and you can prove it, I’ll give you $100,” he wagered, referring to the hymn, “Our God, His Is Alive,” which is considered an anthem in the Churches of Christ). (emphasis added)
A spokesman for Thompson, who’s expected to formally announce his candidacy next month, said the actor-politician “is indeed a Christian. He was baptized in the Church of Christ.” A website listing adherents of the Churches of Christ suggests Thompson was “raised” in the church but may have fallen away as an adult.
This isn’t about defending Republican presidential candidates, but I know an unfair attack when I see one.
How Thompson spends his Sundays is his business.