Donne Levy

Within the body of the U.S. Constitution, religion is mentioned only once. Article VI states, “… no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” Added later was the First Amendment, stating “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or the free exercise thereof …” The Founding Fathers who drafted the U.S. Constitution were deists. They believed that morality rather than prayer was the best way to worship God. Therefore, sessions of the Constitutional Convention did not begin with a prayer. Thomas Jefferson who coined the phrase “separation of church and state” had no trouble winning the presidency although he seldom attended church.

Despite the Founding Fathers’ nonreligious endorsements, organized religion became a driving force in American culture. Numbers have been dropping in recent years, yet according to the Pew Research Center, 77.2 percent of the American people identify as religiously affiliated. This generates a profound effect on the political system with every president making a show of religious observance whether they believe in it or not. Although atheists and agnostics have been elected to lesser offices, none have risen to the presidency.

Faith Forum: Would an atheist president be acceptable?

Since World War II, all presidents have attended church on a fairly regular basis. Several presidents, Eisenhower and Reagan for example, seldom attended church until their election. One president, Richard Nixon, regularly held Sunday morning church services in the White House, which means that close religious affiliation does not necessarily equate to high ethical standards.

Historically, however, some religions have not been accepted for presidents. When a Catholic was nominated for president in 1960, he felt compelled to defend himself. Speaking to Protestant ministers, Kennedy said, “I am not the Catholic candidate for president. I am the Democratic Party’s candidate for president who happens to be a Catholic.” He indicated that he does not speak for the Catholic Church in public matters, nor does the church speak for him.

Faith Forum: Would an atheist president be acceptable?

Religious confusion has engulfed no president more than Barack Obama. Raised by a Christian mother and grandmother, Obama first attended a Catholic parochial school, and then from fifth grade on he attended a private school founded by Congregationalist missionaries. His formerly Islamic estranged father was an atheist by the time of Obama’s birth. No record exists of Obama ever worshiping at a mosque. Yet 29 percent of all Americans and 43 percent of Republicans believe Obama is a Muslim. These people do not let facts replace prejudicial beliefs.

What does this all mean for today? We should realize that when we see a presidential candidate attending church, it is a photo op and not always a reflection of religious belief. We should know that when Ted Cruz wears religion “on his sleeve,” he is not following the religious preferences of our Founding Fathers. Finally, we must recognize that not all religious denominations or preferences have yet to be welcomed by mainstream America for the presidency. As Catholicism was once forbidden, Islam still is unacceptable to many. The Founding Fathers wanted Muslims, Jews, and nonbelievers to have equal opportunity in our political system. Religious bigotry came later.

Donne Levy is a Sparks resident and former U.S. history teacher.