Candidates Should Not Insert Religion Into Their Politics
By: Sohaib Awan 

Manipulation tactics of politicians are numerous, but I find one to be the most insulting of all: using religion. However, politicians are not the only ones to blame; we as a nation have allowed ourselves to be swayed. We have given so much importance to the religion of our officials that it has clouded our judgment. A great example is the previous presidential election. A church sign in Wichita, Kan., said it all: "America, we have a Muslim president. This is a sin against the Lord."

Rolling around to the next presidential election, I see another aspect of this manipulation. Texas Gov. Rick Perry held a prayer rally recently in the name of Jesus Christ. While what Gov. Perry does in his private life is his own business, his public behavior is cause for concern. Though he claimed the event to be apolitical, the fact is, any event a politician endorses is political.