Rev. Andre Allen Responds to Presidential Candidates' Declarations of Faith
As the presidential election nears closer, many Americans search for revealing information on candidates to help sway voter decisions. Rev. Andre Allen discusses the matter of religious faith among candidates and discusses it as a major factor in ele
Online, September 5, 2012 (Newswire.com) - As the presidential election season goes into high gear, cautious Americans are taking the time to analyze all aspects of each presidential candidate's viewpoints, including that of faith. While both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama have declared belief in the Christian faith, a recent USA Today article reveals that many Americans still doubt each candidate's commitment to religion. Although both Romney and Obama have declared their faith, they have avoided making religion a central issue to this year's campaigns; still, Christian voters are undecided about which candidate truly represents the religion. Rev. Andre Allen, Senior Pastor at New Beginnings Ministries Worldwide, comments on these observation and notes the importance of having a faithful president.
According to the article, both Obama and Romney have declared their faith in Jesus Christ; despite this, some Christians have viewed Obama as a Muslim or have been unable to relate to Romney's Mormon faith. USA Today highlights both candidates' responses to voter questions on faith. Obama states, "I have a job to do as president, and that does not involve convincing folks that my faith in Jesus is legitimate and real. Faith can express itself in people in many ways, and I think it is important that we not make faith, alone, a barometer of a person's worth, value, or character."
Although coming from a different Mormon background, Romney believes that the values of a candidate should carry more weight in voter decision. Romney comments that it is most important to note whether someone seeking office "shares these American values: the equality of human kind, the obligation to serve one another, and a steadfast commitment to liberty. They are not unique to any one denomination." Rev. Andre Allen recognizes that each candidate has expressed religious faith with a similar passion to conduct works that will improve the quality of American life, equality, and community.
When asked whether religion should play an important part in election, Rev. Andre Allen responds, "While our country supports the separation of church and state, America is a nation that affirms faith in God in one of our founding documents. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Our nation also affirms faith in God through our pledge of allegiance to the United States Flag, by affirming that we are 'one nation under God.' In considering these powerful affirmations, it is good that our country have political leaders who also affirms faith in God as a belief system, that gives them guidance and support."
ABOUT:
Rev. Andre Allen is the Senior Pastor at New Beginnings Ministries Worldwide located in Carol Stream, Illinois. He has served in ministry for nearly 40 years. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northwestern University and a Master of Divinity from the Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, Rev. Andre Allen worked as the associate minister of Christ Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Andre Allen lives with his wife and has five daughters and twelve grandchildren.