I am constantly astounded by evidence of the way religious thinking permeates the universe of discourse here in America.  In other lands, the religious expression is overt but accepted as part of life.  In America, family values, faith based trust in prayer politics are all in a state of flux.  It has always been with us but for the most part of our intellectual lives, the religious component was kept separate from business, sports and entertainment.  The resurgence of the religious Right has not been a post script to our historical period. It has drenched the politics and other aspects of life with the need to force people down on their knees in prayer instead of having them stand up on their legs and shriek at heaven for letting us down.

My dialogue with the creator of the universe has been practically nil as I have never been introduced to that grand old man living up there in heaven.  I do speak with learned persons who speak for this personage and I am not impressed.  I think the wisdom literature in all faiths has been a pretty sure guide to a good and productive life but it is out of place in our political jousts to select our leaders.  Our faith in our leaders is regularly shaken for they are NOT god-like people.  God-like people become saints long after their deeds are past. Organized religions often need a fresh infusion of - well, faith, as do the political parties we turn to in trust.

The family values of some of our leaders have led us to hold our noses as we muse over whom we will vote for.  The thinking about the on-coming election is such that so many office holders for years and years are shaking in their boots that some discovery of an indiscretion will doom them to obscurity where once they lorded over us that their family values were impeccable and their faith unshakable.

Oil and water do not mix well just as hypocritical behavior does not do well in the arena of public discourse.  I take no pleasure in the discovery of a misstep in the journey of one of our spokespersons while they are supposed to be representing us 24/7/365.  That is but a dream anyway.  For some of our leaders protesting that they do just that it would not leave any time for themselves and we all need a little downtime at the side of the track while our oil is changed and our wheels replaced with new ones with fresh treads.

Family values and faith based trust in prayer are simply just not enough.