It’s reported that in a speech the other day, vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan told a gathering of evangelists that President Obama’s policies threaten ‘Judeo-Christian values.’ Some people might think introducing this kind of religious pitch into a political campaign is inappropriate. Others may find it outright disgusting. Me, I think the real problem here is that it’s not inclusive.
The United States is religion rich. There are all sorts of religious faiths here and a growing body of faithlessness as well. So why just focus on two faiths, Christianity and Judaism, when you’re hustling for a political advantage?
There are, for an example, an estimated 3 million Buddhists in this country and 2.6 million Muslims. The numbers of both are soaring by virtue of conversions and immigration from Asia and other parts of the world. Shouldn’t some campaign pitches thus cry out for more Buddheo-Islamic values in our politics?
Paganism is coming on strong in some quarters, too, and according to recent surveys, Atheism is actually being adopted by more Americans than traditional faiths these days. So how about appealing to the Atheo-Pagan crowd for votes? You know. For inclusiveness sake?
Think it over, Mr. Ryan. For your next campaign, to play the religion card, spread your net wider and see what you catch. Winning, after all, isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.