This week's poll: Should politicians be questioned about their religion?

Article VI of the Constitution provides that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."  Yet, the question of religious faith seems to come up in U.S. politics all the time.

Do religious beliefs motivate how a president, congressperson or other official will act or make decisions?  Can anyone truly keep religion separate from political life?  In a recent discussion at Arizona State University, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins suggested to theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss that perhaps this question should be raised, citing some of the roots and historical contradictions of Mitt Romney's Mormon religion.  Here's an excerpt:

What's your take — should candidates be questioned about their religious beliefs?

Our poll will remain open a little more than a week this time, until 7 AM Pacific time on Sunday, June 3, 2012. Although our polling software records IPs to void double-voting, your personal identity will not be revealed. Obviously, this is not a scientific poll.

Comments are welcome. Thanks for your vote and opinions!

Should political candidates be questioned about their religious beliefs?

  • Yes -- If the candidate talked about the importance of his or her faith on the campaign trail, then it's fair game. (41%, 12 Votes)
  • Yes -- Dawkins is right; if a person can privately belive in absurd nonsense, then what state of mind does s/he bring to public governance? (31%, 9 Votes)
  • No -- It's a private matter and the Constitution forbids it. (28%, 8 Votes)
  • Not sure. (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 29

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  • http://www.houseofbetazed.com Mriana

    I agree with Dawkins, but I am also on the fence concerning grilling a person about their religious beliefs.  While I don't want someone like Dawkins described in office, I wouldn't object to a liberal Xian who believes women have the right to decide their own health care needs, including to have an abortion or not, LGBTs have civil rights, including marriage equality, etc etc.  Of course, my criteria would bar most Fundamngelicals from serving in office, but would allow for many Lutherans, Episcopalians, Methodists, and other mainline denominations, and including and esp many atheists to serve in our government.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000741953837 Lara Thisisridiculous Shirar

    no, no, no, no, NO! Separation of church and state. Who cares who they worship, anyways?

  • Smbakk

    It would be nice get notices of these polls prior to the outcome so I could participate in them.

    • Deborah_B

      The poll is open, so I don't understand your comment.  You can participate in open polls.  Also, we have email subscriptions (side bar and the header) that give notice of everything going on, plus the polls are posted on our Facebook fan page.  Thanks for your interest in voting.

      • Smbakk

         I didn't see a place to vote originally, but it is there now, perhaps I missed it somehow.  Thanks for letting me know it was still open so I could vote.  (I did receive the email)

    • Lore

       If you have a facebook page then click LIKE for this website. The polls are announced and you can go to them as soon as they hit the site.

  • A COMMON MAN

    YES DEFENITELY BECAUSE THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS