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John McCain
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"The Founding Fathers believed in separation of church and state and they believed in it unequivocally, but they also continued to emphasize the Christian principles. "In God We Trust," "We are all created equal," every statement they made had to do with the belief in a divine creator. So they didn't mean, in my view, that in separation of church and state that there is no place for God, a superior being or creator in our discourse and in our lives."
Mr. McCain, too, has supported faith-based initiatives. A spokesman has said that, if elected, the senator wanted faith-based groups to “have at least the same standing as they have now.”
Q: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 allows religious organizations, not just churches, to hire people they believe share common beliefs. Would you insist that faith-based organizations forfeit that right to access federal funds? A: Absolutely not, and if you did it would mean severe crippling of faith-based organizations and their abilities to do the things that they have done so successfully.
"I support faith-based initiatives and recognize their important role in our communities. I have co-sponsored legislation to foster improved partnerships with community organizations, including faith-based organizations, to assist with substance abuse and violence prevention. Such organizations do not and must not discriminate against who their programs will assist. As to who the organization employs to help provide such charitable service, however, I believe it is important for faith-based groups to be able to hire people who share their faith. I do not believe that hiring at faith-based groups should be subject to regulation by the government."
"Q: Do you think religious organizations that get federal funding to deliver social services - faith based organizations – should be permitted to take faith into account in deciding who to hire. You saw Obama’s proposal. A: I support faith-based organizations and I support a lot of the things that the president did. I was in New Orleans after Katrina and I went to their Resurrection Baptist Church and I saw volunteers from all over America working and helping in the clean-up, and the work that they did and talking with people like Governor Jindal, he said they did great work. I would continue along the model of what the president has done. And I certainly applaud Senator Obama’s, what I heard of his position basically the same. Q: I think the one difference is whether or not as a condition of getting these monies, that these organization say they will not take into account religion or other factors in hiring decisions. A: Obviously it’s very complicated because if this is an organization that says we want people in our organization that are Baptists or vegetarians or whatever it is, they should not be required to hire someone that they don’t want to hire in my view. Listen, this is the kind of the issue that goes on with the Boy Scouts, it goes on with a number of other issues. I think the president’s faith-based organization has been successful and I support what he has done."
"Q: Does posting the Ten Commandments in schools invalidate the religious expression of children who are not in the Judeo-Christian heritage? A: We begin our proceedings every day in the US Senate with a prayer. Now, it doesn’t have the beneficial effect that some desire, but it seems to be acceptable for the Senate to do that. Virtues [like telling the truth are] exemplified in the Ten Commandments. They could be and should be taught in every school in America."
GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa Jan 16, 2000