A president’s loyalty to country is No. 1

Do you remember this? On Sept. 12, 1960, while campaigning for president of the U.S., John F. Kennedy gave a speech to a group of Protestant ministers in Houston. At that time, many people questioned whether Kennedy’s Roman Catholic faith would allow him to make important national decisions independent of his church. John F. Kennedy was successful in putting those concerns to rest. Kennedy’s speech became a defining moment in his presidential campaign, and the Kennedy presidency went on to help define an American generation.

We had risen above simplistic religious labels to reaffirm our national aspirations and liberties, and in doing so we had reasserted religious freedom for all. Now look at us today. Over the weekend of Sept. 2, on a remote ranch 70 miles west of Austin, Texas, some 200 national Evangelical leaders gathered to meet with and listen to Gov. Rick Perry. For two days, religious discussions were held and questions were asked and answered. What was said was all in secret, so we will never know officially what was discussed or what was promised at this retreat. Participants were required not to disclose details, not to take photographs and not to make audio recordings of the proceedings.

Look how far we’ve fallen. Secrecy in politics seldom stays secret. What was happening was that Gov. Perry was being vetted, questioned at length, to determine if he met the strict criteria of the Christian political right. Is he Evangelical enough to be president of the United States? How have we become a country that requires loyalty oaths (public or secret) from our politicians to a specific religion, or to anything else for that matter, other than to our Constitution? How can anyone possibly think this is a good thing?

Phil Graf

Rolling Meadows