Ed: Phil this: "Sanders was talking about a high-level government job, not elected office" is an objective fact.
It's the same issue, Ed! So, Bernie thinks no Christian should be qualified for a high-level government job? Based upon WHAT??? That is very dangerous - and no doubt, given the power to do so, he would enforce that belief upon all Christians seeking high offices - whether elected or appointed - doesn't matter. You are arguing some irrelevant technicality as to what type of office the guy was up for. What matters is we have a Senator, potential presidential contender that has exposed his religious bigotry - and very selectively, as he sure as heck wouldn't say this about other faiths. I have a MAJOR problem with anyone in government or judicially asserting a Christian's beliefs disqualify him or her for office - don't keep dodging the issue, Ed!
Ed: There's nothing debatable about the statement. And repeatedly talking about Christians being unsuited, in Bernie's mind, to hold office strikes me as deliberately provocative and misleading. When we say "office" in the US we mean elected office, not deputy White House budget director. Whether or not you're suited to be the deputy White House budget director is up to the administration that does the nominating and the Senate that does the confirming, and every President and Senator has a bunch of litmus tests. Litmus tests to hold elected office are a completely different topic.
Blah, blah, blah - so, you think Bernie's thinking is correct - that the guy's Christian beliefs should disqualify him??? And why would anyone believing this not apply that thinking to any office administrating people of other faiths? Would you disqualify a Muslim from holding ANY office - elected/appointed, because they don't believe Christians and Jews will share heaven with Allah? I sure as heck wouldn't - as long as I felt they would objectively and equally serve people of all faith types. Now, if there is a vote, depending upon the opponent, I may or may not vote for the Muslim. I voted for a Mormon - and I don't believe they are saved. What Bernie believes shows just how intolerant the radical left often is
!
Ed: It seems like if Sanders had a bias against Christians serving in Administration jobs it would have come up during the hearing process. Did he question any of Trump's other 103 nominees about their Christian beliefs? I doubt it, since the grievance collection branch of the conservative media hasn't mentioned it, but I don't know for sure. It would be informative to have that information, but this is a non-issue and I don't care enough to look it up.
It would not surprise me. But guess what - I take Bernie at what he said - and what he said was based upon a person's spiritual beliefs - but the coward wouldn't make that comment about Muslims, or Jews, or atheists who would be administrating over people of theist faiths - WOULD he???!!!
Ed: I guess we'll find out when Trump nominates a Muslim for a role in his administration.
Nice dodge - and switching mirrors on me. Even if Bernie PERSONALLY wouldn't want to nominate a Christian for whatever office, given he had enough non-theists to choose from, THAT wouldn't necessarily bother me nearly as much, because he'd just be going with his own preferences. But when one wants to apply LAW to such a decision, and say people of this or that faith are unqualified because of what they believe about eternity - THAT, I have a major problem with! He'd just love to stack courts with judges who start looking at those verbalizing or living out their Christian beliefs as hate speech. Again, he believes MY spiritual beliefs about eternity are insulting - but what about whatever theists about HIS unbelief. What a phony baloney!
Ed: Oh, wait, no we won't because Trump will never do that because all Muslims will fail Trump's clear and obvious litmus test by being Muslims and therefore won't get nominated. So what? Trump wants to surround himself with rich old white guys and he has the right to try. Whether or not he succeeds is up to the Senate. Since the Republicans have the majority at the moment his odds are pretty good.
Ed, you are the master as not staying on topic. We're not talking about Trump. But IF Trump were to say being a Muslim should automatically disqualify someone from ANY office, ONLY because of their spiritual beliefs - I would not like it. That's a dangerous path and viewpoint, from a legally applied standard. Because the same rights that protect Christians, Jews, Muslims, Mormons, and non-theists, protect everyone in our democracy. Deny one person of whatever faith their rights based upon their spiritual beliefs, then who is next?
Ed: Christians are not being persecuted in the United States and they never will be.
You're blind! While certainly not blatantly widespread, we can definitely see the seeds and intentions of many in politics and law, and various agenda-driven groups.
Philip: Why would Bernie's take on ANY other Christian who believed only those with faith in Christ will be saved - why wouldn't he believe, they as well, are like-wise unfit???!!!
Ed: He surely might, but he's responsible to his constituents, not to you. They elected him knowing that he has opinions like that, much like the good people of Texas elected Ted Cruz knowing that he was a demonically possessed wax figure. Of the people of Vermont want a more conservative senator they'll elect one, just like the people of Texas will elect a human if that's what they want. Meantime it is what it is.
But He is ALSO responsible to the CONSTITUTION and laws of the land - which are obviously very inconvenient for him. Course, he'd love to change them. Ed, that you think what Bernie thinks about denying someone their office due to their Christian spiritual beliefs about eternity isn't a big deal - don't even pretend to be tolerant of others' spiritual beliefs. I don't want anyone with such views about ANY person of ANY faith to be anywhere near high office. And that Bernie selectively applied his thinking - what a hypocrite he is!
As long as a person can and is willing to serve all of those under his or her office equally, and I think their actions and words show them to appear to be a good candidate, they should (and ARE) eligible, and I'd consider voting or installing them.
Note also that Bernie ignores that the potential appointee's spiritual beliefs are ALL-inclusive as to whom God finds acceptable - AS LONG AS they are willing to have faith in Christ. He also ignores that the guy specifically stated: "As a Christian,
I believe that all individuals are made in the image of God and are worthy of dignity and respect regardless of their religious beliefs. I believe that as a Christian that’s how I should treat all individuals . . ."