TEXAS FAITH: What does Hillary need to know about religion?

The Dallas Morning News ^ | Dec 09, 2008 | William McKenzie

[Alex Murphy]

In the Mumbai bombings, the world has seen another example of how religions can conflict. The Washington Post's Craig Whitlock and Karen De Young summarized the India/Pakistan situation this way: "The roots of the long-running conflict are religious: A majority of India's population is Hindu, while most Pakistanis are Muslim."

Of course, the India bombing is not the only place where religious conflict is playing itself out. In his new book, "World of Faith and Freedom," Thomas Farr, the former director of the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom, argues that foreign policy makers cannot afford a hands-off approach to understanding religion, whether in the Mideast, China or Afghanistan.

His writing tracks what former Secretary of State Madeline Albright wrote in her book, "The Mighty and The Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs." She contended that our diplomats don't adequately understand the role of religion in nations around the world.

So, here's this week's Texas Faith question:

Based on your studies and travels, what would you advise Hillary Clinton in her new job as secretary of state about the role religion plays in influencing politics and culture around the world? What trends or currents should she pay attention to as she tries to overcome the religion deficit in diplomacy?

[Alex Murphy]

Based on your studies and travels, what would you advise Hillary Clinton in her new job as secretary of state about the role religion plays in influencing politics and culture around the world? What trends or currents should she pay attention to as she tries to overcome the religion deficit in diplomacy?

There's a whole bunch of "talking heads" and "resident expert" type answers at the original. I excluded them to meet the "excerpt" requirements.

[Robert A. Cook, PE]

Har, har.

Hillary doesn't believe (”be lie” - more accurately) in religion except for how SHE can use it as a weapon to delude her voters and the press into power. Such as going to “church” with Bill with a big bible in her hand, but only after waiting for Monica to finish giving him a blow job in the Oval Bathroom.