1. What role does "religion" play in the National Elections in the United States today? How do the candidates use (or not use) religion to empower their campaigns?
I believe that religious beliefs have and are currently playing too big of a role in presidential elections. While religion obviously shapes ones opinions and morals, it should not be the deciding factor in electing a leader for our country. After all, doesn't every religious preach the basic fundamentals of peace, love, generosity, and kindness? Perhaps that may be slightly optimistic, but no religion explicitly promotes causing harm to others. On that note it is important to look at our current international affairs and the highly religious administration in power. I think that some voters are looking too much into the candidates faith opposed to what their intentions are for office. Yes someone's faith can shape what the candidate's views but overall it is what they preach in the end is what we should look for. People may be influenced at individual level to make choices about how or whom they will worship. People in politics come from homes where religion is practiced. For many politicians, religion has become something that is either of no concern to them or something to fight against. But worse, for others it has become nothing more than a political marketing ploy for political gains. One example of candidates using religion to empower their campaigns would be that political parties seek to make distinctions, to differentiate one party from another regarding the positions on issues and therefore are polarizing and partisan in nature. Working within a political party to bring religious ideals to fruition is appropriate. Political activism is the civic duty of all citizens, religious or non religious. The candidates also appeal to extremism to win one set of voters and shifting to the center when faced with more moderate voters in an unethical election strategy. It all depends on the time and...