The Faith Question just asked....in the Debate

[FrenchieCat]

Bernie needs to just tell us if he believes in God, so that folks will know. Because he keeps getting that question, but he doesn't answer it truthfully, for political reasons, I'm sure...

The facts are that Bernie Sanders does not practice Judaism, although he was born Jewish. as he calls himself non religious and a humanist, meaning he doesn't believe in a traditional God.

He did not answer the question which it was asked. He did what he often does, artfully works around the question of his beliefs, which I don't think he should be hiding.

Here is an article to clear up the difference between Bernie Sanders being born Jewish, and the actual religion which he practices, which is none at all.

"I put the question to Professor Richard Sugarman, who serves as Bernie Sanders' unofficial spiritual adviser. The two met in 1976 on a train from New York to Vermont. Sugarman was at the start of his professorship at the university; Sanders was an itinerant candidate with Vermont's radical Liberty Union Party. The two became friends and lived together. Sugarman convinced Sanders to run for Burlington mayor and told me he served as "Minister of Reality" in the government. If Sanders is in Vermont during Passover, he attends seder at Sugarman's table.

Does Bernie Sanders believe in God?

"I would call him an uncertain agnostic," Sugarman told me. He still teaches religion and philosophy. "He's not even sure he's an agnostic."

Translation: Sanders is doubly uncertain that God exists.
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2016-02-26/should-questions-about-sanders-religion-and-judaism-impact-his-2016-run

[Mira]

1. I'm a bit confused,

because I think the God you want Mr. Sanders to believe in is OK with his answer. If not, he would have reached down and obliterated Mr. Sanders, if not, why call him God.

The God I believe in wants all of us to benefit from the revolution advocated and hoped for by a Sanders leadership. It can change the downfall of this country and raise the overall well being of his children in the United States of America.
If he is loving and benevolent and omnipotent that is what I want from my God. All the other stuff, even asking the question, does not matter

[FrenchieCat]

2. Everyone can believe as they wish....

But I'm sure that it would be an issue in a general election, if Sanders was our nominee
and I guess than most who don't know would get a chance to understand it.....a bit more plainly,
than it being disguised, which is what is currently happening.

[Mira]

3. The point I am trying to make

is that yes, we are a religious country. Yet it is not a Minister / Preacher / Rabbi / or Mullah we are electing.
We don't expect the religious leaders to be able to lead the country, and we don't need our President to be soul searched about his personal God.
It is basically not relevant. All religions along with all caring humans who believe in God or do not, and we probably agree on this, have the same basic interest in the caring for our fellow man.
Do onto others, is a wonderful bottom line answer about religion.
And it is all, in my opinion, that is required. Every thing else seems invasive to me, and none of anybody's business.

[FrenchieCat]

4. It will be relevant to many.....in the GE, IMO....

The right to know IS relevant, when vetting anyone for the highest office in the land,
understanding that the candidate will be running against someone else,
and folks will have a choice. To pretend that it is information that shouldn't be known,
when it will most likely be used against the candidate by the opposition,
is folly in USA 2016...which is not the idealistic 2016 we would want it to be....

I do agree with you though that once one has that information,
thank it becomes nobody's business what they choose to do with that info.

The fact that it is being obscured is not wise electionwise, IMO.

[yallerdawg]

5. A socialist...

and an atheist?

I bet Republicans just started praying...

[SharonClark]

7. You're in the Hillary Group

You might try commenting in the Bernie Group instead.

[SunSeeker]

9. No one here "wants" Sanders to believe in a particular God -- or any God.

That is a really rude assertion and is not justified by anything stated here. We just are noting he doesn't have the guts to give a straight answer to a pretty simple question. And the reason is simple too. Atheists/agnostics are disliked in this country even more than socialists. He could try an eloquent explanation and defense of what it means to be an agnostic or atheist, but he won't do that. He cares more about trying to win votes. So he keeps dodging the question. But you can bet the GOP would bludgeon him with it.

[Cha]

11. Thank you, SunSeeker. they always try to twist the words to insult and distract from what

the subject was. And, that's berni.. dodging questions again.

Thankfully we won't have to worry about him getting hammered by the gop for his non answers.

[Historic NY]

6. I guess he can't speak for himself.

Are you now or have you ever ...........

[shraby]

8. Not a proper question of a presidential candidate. The question was out of line. Sander's religion

or lack of it is his business and his alone.
I would be more upset with candidates touting religion all the time like the republicans do. That behavior makes me uncomfortable as all hell.

[SunSeeker]

10. Americans believe they have a right to know the religion, if any, of a Presidential candidate.

Along with their age, marital staus, and a whole host of details no employer could get away with asking of a job applicant. That is reality.

[Cha]

12. If he's going to put himself out there as a candidate for POTUS.. he doesn't get to give

non answers.

We have a right to know what we're getting.