McCain discusses role of religion in personal and national life

McCain discusses role of religion in personal and national life: "McCain discusses role of religion in personal and national life

Sen. John McCain / Whoopi Goldberg

New York, Sep 16, 2008 / 05:30 pm (CNA).- Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain spoke about the place of religion and politics in a Friday appearance on the ABC daytime talk show The View. While professing respect for people regardless of their religious beliefs, he said he prayed for God’s guidance and claimed the United States was founded upon “Judeo-Christian values.”

Whoopi Goldberg, one hostess of the show, asked whether McCain’s choice of evangelical Christian Gov. Sarah Palin was a possible threat to the “separation of church and state.”

According to LifeSiteNews.com, McCain replied that some of Palin’s remarks, in which she prayed that the military do God’s will, have been taken out of context. The senator claimed that Palin was echoing the words of Abraham Lincoln, who said “we should 'pray not that God be on our side, but that we be on God's side.'

While John McCain has been reticent in the past to talk about his faith in public, he has recently become more vocal about it.

McCain explained his own view of religion and American life, saying “Judeo-Christian values were the foundation of our nation. 'In God we trust' - clearly - the belief that God has a plan for the world, and that we should do what we can to live as good a lives as we can and trust that - 'in God we trust' - will guide the nation and this world to a better existence.'

When some of his hostesses asked about those who do not believe in God, he replied that atheists are entitled not to believe in God, but that this tolerance should also be accorded to those who do believe in God.

“We should respect the views of those who believe in God and believe that we are a special nation, and that it's a special world, and we believe that God does play a role - not in whether or not we win or lose elections - but in whether we have a better world, and a better future, and better lives,' Sen. McCain said.

Goldberg said she believed that Christianity could “take over” and disadvantage people of other beliefs.

'Are you to govern the way that God would have you do it, or do you govern this nation for the greater good of the people in it?' she asked.

'I think everybody obviously is entitled to their individual faith, including not believing in anything,” McCain answered. “But I pray every day for guidance, and to do the right thing... and to do what is in the best interest of the country.

'I am an imperfect person,' he concluded, 'but the point is, I respect those people who don't think they need spiritual guidance and help. I just happen to be one of those who does.”"