When politicians invoke religion

Speeches about religious faith – specifically the Christian faith – have become a staple of presidential campaigns and this cycle is no different.

This can make Jews uncomfortable because of the long history of church-state abuses and the reinforcement of a perception that we can be considered outsiders in our own country.

But speaking as a rabbi and a Jewish legal scholar, we want to affirm that it is indeed appropriate – and even useful — for political candidates to tell voters how their religion has influenced their views.

This position is not only consistent with hundreds of years of American political discourse, but also with the Jewish concern of the proper application of God’s commandments, known as mitzvoth, in this world. This includes laws interpreted by the rabbis as well as cultural practices.

Our rich Jewish tradition has something to say about virtually every aspect of human behavior—from sex to ethics to ritual practices.  Perhaps because of this action-oriented focus, it is not common for Jews to speak publicly about their faith.  But make no mistake about it, the Jewish tradition still has much to say about how the fear – or awe – of God should shape human behavior and we believe this perspective ought to be out in the open.

A major concept of Jewish thought is “the fear of heaven.”  This does not mean literal fright but reverence. When religious Jews observe a new month of the Hebrew calendar, they pray for “a life in which there is a fear of heaven and fear of sin.”

This is an individual responsibility. In the Babylonian Talmud (Berachot 33b) we are told that “Everything is in the hand of heaven except the fear of heaven.” Although our human characteristics are often dependent upon hereditary or environment, we must choose our own moral and spiritual character. We decide whether there is a spiritual foundation to our lives.

Proverbs 1:7 states: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”.  This view is amplified in a rabbinic source known as The Ethics of the Fathers which states: “when one gives priority to reverence over wisdom, that wisdom will be enduring; but when one gives priority to wisdom over reverence, that wisdom will not be enduring.” This passage suggests that our belief system governs how we live our lives on a daily basis and how we relate to the world around us – including the political arena.

So in light of our tradition, we believe it is entirely appropriate for political candidates to invoke a perspective grounded in the language of God and faith, even if it differs from Judaism.  People of faith – any faith – should understand how this perspective provides a framework that guides every aspect of human existence.

Candidates for public office with a genuine religious perspective should indeed be transparent about the content of their beliefs and how these beliefs have shaped their philosophies. As believing Jews, we cannot criticize anyone who wants to do this.

A candidate’s right to talk about religion should nevertheless be subject to two important tests.

Firstly, faith-based speech should not be coercive, or assume that everyone shares a common foundation. We remain a society dedicated to a pluralistic religious perspective.

Second, such speech should reflect genuine religious motivations and not ersatz beliefs adopted for political convenience. Voters are not clairvoyant but they deserve – and should demand – authenticity when the talk turns to God.

Religious beliefs should bring blessings to this world and create respect for each and every human being.  They should not be cheapened as a mere pathway to election.
        
Vernon Kurtz is the Rabbi at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Ill. and a past president of the Rabbinical Assembly; Roberta Rosenthal Kwall is the Raymond P. Niro Professor at DePaul University College of Law