Asking the clergy about voting one's faith

Most people of faith would say their religion is part of them. It isn't a coat they put on just for services. They carry it with them at all times. If that's true, should they carry it into the voting booth? And, in this land of separation of church and state, should religious beliefs influence political leanings? Our clergy weigh in.

The Rev. David E. McClean, pastor, Peachtree Chapel, and founder of the Interfaith Union for Progressive Religion, Hempstead:

I don't see how a serious adherent to a faith tradition can avoid voting his or her faith. If one's faith is a living faith, all of the person's experiences are going to be filtered through it in one way or another. That doesn't mean thinking theocratically. This is a democracy, so we're not looking to make the organs of government respond only to one's faith traditions.

There are people who believe voting your faith is inappropriate. There are those who think religion and politics can never be spoken in the same breath. That's nonsense. People can't help being who they are.

If you're a Muslim, your view of politics is going to be affected by being a Muslim. If you're Catholic, you're going to vote partially based on your commitment.

Richard Cardozo, stewardship deacon and member of the Consistory/governing board, Parkway Community Church, Hicksville:

I don't think you can separate the two. A true and honest person has to be himself or herself all the time. You're not just religious from 10 to 11 a.m. on Sunday morning. What you do one day, you do the rest of the week.

Separation of church and state isn't the same thing as voting your faith. You may not discuss your faith in school or town hall, but you always have a belief. That doesn't leave you. So, it is impossible to not vote your faith.

Habeeb Ahmed, chairman, board of trustees, Islamic Center of Long Island, Westbury, and member of the Nassau County Human Rights Commission:

Faith will definitely play a role in determining which candidate gets each person's vote. The candidate we agree with on the majority of issues that serve the common good of all segments of society should be the preferred. Of course, this candidate should be fair and just in his or her dealings with all constituents, regardless of their ethnicity, race, religion, gender, etc.

A good guide is the Quran Chapter 5:8: "O you who believe! Stand out firmly for God and be just witnesses and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just -- that is nearer to piety."

The Rev. Joanna Keneally, Unity Church of Christianity, Valley Stream:

Unity as an organization never tells anyone what to think or what to do. Ours is an open-ended philosophy. We would ask that you follow your heart. We're not dogmatic in any sense. We wouldn't tell them what to vote, but to go into the voting booth with an open mind and an open heart. One should vote for the good of everyone concerned.

We would not have a political discussion from the pulpit. We're very spiritually oriented. We always operate from a premise of love and concern for all.

Of course, we would encourage people to do their civic duty, but would not try to influence an individual's decision at all.

The Rev. Bill Giangrande, New Covenant Church, East Meadow:

I would tell them to vote the best candidate as long as he or she isn't doing things contrary to our faith. To me, voting your faith is voting your conscience. You're putting a stamp of approval on that politician and what he or she stands for.

Ask yourself who is the most qualified candidate as long as he or she is not in opposition to your faith. Absolutely, you can look to your faith for guidance with your vote. But that shouldn't be the only thing you look at.

God is not a Democrat or Republican. He's his own independent party. Instead of jumping on someone's bandwagon, see what their credentials are.

But when it comes to moral issues in relation to the candidate, absolutely vote your faith. I don't care how you fix the economy; if you're going to bring forth immoralities that we would have to deal with, I don't want to deal with you.