Religion and Politics

With more religious groups voicing their opinions in the political arena due to issues such as civil unions and same sex marriages, this weeks panel discusses how to the deal with the diversity of religious perspectives in politics. Guests include Father Mark Alexander, Vicar General and Diocesan Theologian of the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu; John Hoag, Director of Public Affairs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Rev. John Heidel, United Church of Christ Minister and President of Interfaith Alliance Hawaii; and Rabbi Peter Schaktman of Temple Emanu-El. This conversation was recorded on February 11, 2010 in the PBS Hawaii studio.

Insights on PBS Hawaii is presented on Thursdays at 7:30 PM on PBS Hawaii.

 

Get the Flash Player to see this video.

Online Discussion from the Program:

 Insights on PBS Hawaii - Religion & Politics(02/11/2010) 
7:22
Expand
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:22 
7:22
Guests include Father Mark Alexander, Vicar General and Diocesan Theologian of the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu; John Hoag, Director of Public Affairs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Rev. John Heidel, United Church of Christ Minister and President of Interfaith Alliance Hawaii; and Rabbi Peter Schaktman of Temple Emanu-El.
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:22 
7:27
Religion & Politics...get ready to Cover it Live!
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:27 
7:28
Tune to PBS Hawaii and Cover it Live with me from 7:30-8:30.
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:28 
7:31
Moderator, Dan Boylan, just said that there is an old saying-"You shouldn't discuss religion and politics with someone that you don't know".
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:31 
7:32
Hmm, the girl in that cartoon looks mighty familiar. Maybe it's just me.
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:32 
7:45
[Comment From JoshuaJoshua: ] 
Q: What's more important: A politician's religion in name (e.g., christian, muslim, etc.) or their morality in practice?
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:45 Joshua
7:45
[Comment From AggieAggie: ] 
Q: Is marriage a sacred, religious union? If yes, why is the State regulating it? If no, then how can you attempt to limit it based on church doctrine?
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:45 Aggie
7:45
[Comment From MaryMary: ] 
Q: Is it important to you that the majority of Hawaii's people are against gay marriage? Will it be equally important when that changes, and the majority supports it?
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:45 Mary
7:47
Thank you for your questions everyone. They are all on their way to our LIVE studio now.
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:47 
7:48
[Comment From LindaLinda: ] 
I certainly appreciate the participation of these four gentlemen in tonight's program. But the reality is it's the evangelical right that is involved in the core issue of separation of church and state. This is the group that seemingly wants to legislate morality and influence political leadership in this country. Why are they not on tonight's panel? If they declined or were in some way unable to provide representation, please inform the audience.
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:48 Linda
7:50
[Comment From CarrieCarrie: ] 
Why do those of religious faith, claim to love and accept all people, yet they show such hatred toward those who are different than they are?
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:50 Carrie
7:50
[Comment From TomTom: ] 
Q: If one's faith is strong, can't it withstand a little disagreement from the science and the laws of humankind?
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:50 Tom
7:53
[Comment From KokiKoki: ] 
Q: If those opposed to gay rely on public polls, will they drop their opposition when the polls change?
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:53 Koki
7:53
[Comment From MikeMike: ] 
Our Constitution is designed to protect the minority from the majority. The majority cannot remove rights just because the majority wants them removed...
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:53 Mike
7:54
Feel free to chat with each other too...
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:54 
7:55
Mike, just to let you know your previous message seems to be missing some words. I apologize. I see you also sent an email though. I sent that to the studio.
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:55 
7:57
[Comment From CarolCarol: ] 
Question: Can one of the panelists opposed to gay union please explain, in detail, the negative consequences of allowing gay unions?
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:57 Carol
7:57
[Comment From MikeMike: ] 
thanks!
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:57 Mike
7:57
[Comment From johnjohn: ] 
Please ask your panel if they think being gay/homosexual is a choice.
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:57 john
7:57
[Comment From CarrieCarrie: ] 
I couldn't agree more with the Rabbi. There is so much time wasted on fighting civil unions and same sex marriage, when there are so many other causes that REALLY need attention.
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:57 Carrie
7:59
[Comment From Karen KahnKaren Kahn: ] 
Make Mark Alexander cite one source that shows that children in heterosexual families are any healthier than those who grow up in loving families with same-sex parents.
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:59 Karen Kahn
7:59
[Comment From CaraCara: ] 
Cara: If the number one factor in opposition to gay marriage is the lack of procreation, then can the State curtail my right to heterosexual marriage if I don't want to have kids?
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:59 Cara
7:59
[Comment From KimKim: ] 
If marriage is important to society, why don't we ban divorce?
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:59 Kim
7:59
[Comment From MikeMike: ] 
Yes! Hunger, education, war to name a few!!
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:59 Mike
7:59
[Comment From Karen KahnKaren Kahn: ] 
How do your guests explain that nothing negative has happened in states with same-sex marriage. In fact, Massachusetts, which has had same-sex marraige for over five years, has the lowest rate of divorce in the country.
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:59 Karen Kahn
7:59
[Comment From CarrieCarrie: ] 
The decision was made in the house to table it because they are wimps and were more worried about getting elected than actually voting on the issue.
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:59 Carrie
7:59
[Comment From ClarkClark: ] 
Q: The right to marry is an individual right, not a societal right. I am straight, and other than marrying a child or my sister, SOCIETY has no right to tell me who I can marry!
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:59 Clark
8:03
[Comment From BrianBrian: ] 
Comment: The good padre is insulting the intelligence of our young people. Young people have had MORE exposure the openly gay individuals and they are SMARTER about it than their elders.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:03 Brian
8:05
[Comment From LindaLinda: ] 
Thank you Brian. Please don't accept a patronizing remark like that?
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:05 Linda
8:05
I am so glad that so many people have joined in tonight.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:05 
8:06
[Comment From Karen KahnKaren Kahn: ] 
If so many people in Hawaii are against same-sex marriage, how come not a single one is commenting on this conversation????
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:06 Karen Kahn
8:06
Forgive me if I am not as chatty as usual...I am trying to get all of your questions answered on air.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:06 
8:06
[Comment From PatrickPatrick: ] 
Q: Should Creationism be taught in science classrooms in public schools? If so, should Creationism be subject to full scientific scrutiny?
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:06 Patrick
8:06
[Comment From CarrieCarrie: ] 
They are probably watching some reality show.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:06 Carrie
8:08
Linda, listen!...
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:08 
8:10
[Comment From NaomiNaomi: ] 
I am a "mature," heterosexual, woman who would like to remarry some day. Children are out of the question. A marriage would be for love, companionship, responsibility---both a moral one and a legal one---to my spouse. Would Father Mark say that I cannot marry? What is the difference between my reason for marriage and that of a gay couple?
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:10 Naomi
8:10
[Comment From PatrickPatrick: ] 
Comment: Many of those opposed to gay marriage are good people, but are driven by very deep feelings and beliefs. Whatever the case, I think that the times are changing.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:10 Patrick
8:10
[Comment From Courting EqualityCourting Equality: ] 
Can Alexander cite any sources to prove the superiority of heterosexual parents? Answer: NO. They do not exist
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:10 Courting Equality
8:12
[Comment From Karen KahnKaren Kahn: ] 
what is the social impact of gay behavior, according to Mark Alexander?
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:12 Karen Kahn
8:13
Patrick...here you go!
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:13 
8:13
[Comment From Courting EqualityCourting Equality: ] 
In the Prop 8 court case expert after expert testified that same-sex parents were as effective and nurturing as het parents
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:13 Courting Equality
8:15
[Comment From MikeMike: ] 
Love is not gender specific- it is the greatest gift God has given us and should be spread liberally!
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:15 Mike
8:16
[Comment From Courting EqualityCourting Equality: ] 
Why did Catholic Bishop Larry Silva say that it was okay to discriminate against some people some time. Today it is us the LGBT community, last time it was Blacks, who's next?
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:16 Courting Equality
8:16
[Comment From CarrieCarrie: ] 
Honestly, especially due to recent headlines of a heterosexual father being convicted for throwing his daughter into the backseat of a car and then the car seat on top of her, and a heterosexual mother leaving her baby at home while she got high on crystal meth. Isn't there something wrong with this?? On the other hand, there are responsible men and women who nurture and care for their families and happen to be in homosexual relationships.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:16 Carrie
8:18
[Comment From NaomiNaomi: ] 
I'm not Jewish, but I REALLY like Rabbi Peter Schaktman's positions. Very well spoken!
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:18 Naomi
8:18
[Comment From Karen KahnKaren Kahn: ] 
colin powell supports ending don't ask don't tell.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:18 Karen Kahn
8:19
[Comment From JoeJoe: ] 
Comment to anyone listening: I'm straight and I fully support the right to marry whoever you want, and I think most people agree with me, and I'm sorry you have to wait but you will win out soon!
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:19 Joe
8:19
[Comment From Courting EqualityCourting Equality: ] 
Heidel and Schactmann were great. Get the hook for Hoag and Alexander
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:19 Courting Equality
8:19
[Comment From MikeMike: ] 
Rabbi Peter Schaktman rocks- I couldn't agree more!!
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:19 Mike
8:19
[Comment From CarrieCarrie: ] 
You don't have to be Jewish to like the views of a Rabbi.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:19 Carrie
8:20
[Comment From Courting EqualityCourting Equality: ] 
I'm going to be bat-mitzvahed tomorrow!
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:20 Courting Equality
8:21
[Comment From Karen KahnKaren Kahn: ] 
Carrie, you can become an honorary Jew!
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:21 Karen Kahn
8:21
[Comment From MikeMike: ] 
Me too!
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:21 Mike
8:23
Join me next week everyone when our topic will be Rail: The Road Ahead. 7:30-8:30 on PBS Hawaii and chat with me here.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:23 
8:23
[Comment From CarrieCarrie: ] 
Thanks! I love both Buddhism and Judaism.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:23 Carrie
8:24
[Comment From MikeMike: ] 
Great program- thanks!
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:24 Mike
8:24
Thank YOU Mike. Thank you EVERYONE.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:24 
8:24
[Comment From CarrieCarrie: ] 
Buddhism and Judaism are religions that actually spread love and peace. The rest of them don't!!
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:24 Carrie
8:25
[Comment From NaomiNaomi: ] 
Richard B. The latest report may be way off the Council on Revenues' forecast, but just you wait...pretty soon the Legislators and everyone else will forget that the STATE IS NOT GIVING OUT REFUNDS UNTIL JULY and that better revenue numbers will be a lie.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:25 Naomi
8:25
[Comment From ScottScott: ] 
Great discussion. Have to agree with John and Peter. Well spoken.
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:25 Scott
8:26
Good night everyone. See you...oops...I mean, type to you next week Thursday. Mark it in your calendars!
Thursday February 11, 2010 8:26 
8:26