Religion, Politics, and the Presidential Race

I was taught that discussing Religion and Politics was taboo. My father and his father lived by this motto. John F Kennedy was reported to have made the statement "If you don't hold my Religion against me, I won't impose my Religion on you." This is a political statement that makes absolutely no sense to me. I really don't need to know what Religion you practice but I need to know how you live your beliefs.

If you want my vote and support I need to know how you are going to make your decisions. If you have a belief system how that will influence your decisions. I know some Religions condemn abortion, if you practice this Religion how can you claim to be Pro-Choice. Either you are not being honest with the voters or you don't truly practice your Religion.

Our current batch of folks running for President of the United States is being scrutinized about many things. Religion seems to be in the forefront. I don't honestly care what Religion the candidate or his heritage have practiced in the past. I only care about his belief system today and how it will affect his decisions if he/she is elected..

I have recently read an article naming both Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ as "obvious con men". I don't believe we need to throw stones at either man but need to at least understand the basis of their respective Religions and how our candidate lives based on his/her interpretation of these men. I don't care if you are Mormon, Christian, Muslim, Jew, or a member of the First Church of Bubba. It's how you live your life I need to know.

Does your belief system tell you that marriage between two people that love each other is wrong if they are not the same race, creed, or sexual orientation? How do you accept these teachings in your daily life? Does your Religion allow pro-choice for everyone or just the unborn? How do you decide if this is your heartfelt belief? How will you decide to handle the next war?