Places of worship intrude on voting's sacred privacy

Atlanta Journal Constitution ^ | 3/3/04 | FRIDA GHITIS

[sakic]

My new polling place stands inside the American Civil Liberties Union offices.

It offers plenty of convenient parking. From my car, I walk a few short steps along a corridor covered with posters -- one attacking Mel Gibson's movie about Jesus, another saying the government should take better care of the elderly. Others proclaim the virtues of civil liberties and invite me to join the organization. The corridor ends in a large hall where I cast my ballot, unaffected by any of the propaganda I just read.

Just kidding.

My polling place has, in fact, moved, but not to any overtly political office. Instead of the old school gym I'd grown accustomed to, I now exercise my foremost democratic privilege inside a church.

Despite the signs indicating that no campaigning is allowed at that location, there is the unmistakable whiff of politics in the air.

It is kind of the good neighbors at the First Christian Church to open their doors to voters. Their kindness, however, deserves a hearty thanks, but no thanks. Churches are the wrong venue for voting, especially at a time in our country where so-called faith-based organizations have become major players in the political arena.

My description of a walk down an imaginary ACLU office is not a total illusion. The reality is that the moment I stepped into the church building I faced a sign-up sheet to join the church group on a trip to watch Gibson's controversial "The Passion of the Christ." Bible passages also greeted me and other voters, reminding us that Jesus loves us. This we know, because our polling place told us so.

With church staff milling about, I wonder how members of this particular congregation felt when a precinct worker loudly asked if they were voting Republican or Democrat. Would they have dared "out" themselves to following the less popular party before their pew mates? I can tell you that the entire experience was more than a little unpleasant.

I wonder also how my church-going neighbors would have felt about voting in a mosque, forced to walk the gantlet of Allah hu-Akbar signs along the way to the brand new voting machines. Or, maybe they could have voted in a synagogue. Come to think of it, just a few blocks from the First Christian Church stands the Congregation Beth Haverim. That's the city's gay synagogue. There, Christian voters might have had the opportunity to hear all the latest on gay marriage. An unforgettable experience, I'm sure.

The reality is that voting in a church, mosque or synagogue should simply not happen. We would not place our voting machines in the offices of a political party, the ACLU, an anti-abortion or pro-abortion organization, or any other organization aiming to influence our political views. As it happens, our tax dollars have provided plenty of public buildings. Within walking distance of my new polling place is a large post office, for example. The school where I used to vote is still there, just across the street.

Setting up voting machines in places of worship and the facilities they manage means that voters must be exposed to proselytism on their way to the polls. It allows churches to use Election Day as a membership drive. A government-sanctioned political activity as sacred as voting cannot take place in a house of worship, because the separation of church and state cannot take a day off on Election Day.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

More proof - it's not freedom of religion, but freedom from religion that the Left wants.

[Grampa Dave]

FRIDA GHITIS

Needs to get a life without hatred towards Christians.

[sakic]

I've never heard of her. Do you know that she hates Christians?

[WinOne4TheGipper]

But... I thought there were Christians on both the left and right. Are you telling me that a leftist would feel uncomfortable in a church/synagogue/mosque/temple?

[sinkspur]

She was not voting in the Church sanctuary. She was likely voting in a hall next door.

I suspect this woman is miffed because this is a "conservative" Church.

If her polling place were a black church, this column would never have been written.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

No, I don't know if she hates Christians or who the heck she is. It's just the general tone of "oh ick, I'm in a church" I find interesting.

[Prime Choice]

This joker must think that he's entitled to go through life without inconsequential discomfort. He probably got that from attending a Leftist-centered school, no doubt.

[Spok]

"I faced a sign-up sheet to join the church group on a trip to watch Gibson's controversial "The Passion of the Christ."

This is an astonishing tacit admission-the objection to this sign up sheet as a political statement says volumes about the author of this article. He apparently views Christian beliefs, including a message of love, forgiveness and hope, as Republican values that Democrats reject. And he's right.

[JimRed]

I have been a district official with the county board of elections for more than a dozen years, and the district I work has its' polling place in the basement of a Methodist church.

I've never heard of a single complaint about the location (except from my fellow workers regarding the inefficient heating system in November), even from the RATS.

[Hodar]

More proof - it's not freedom of religion, but freedom from religion that the Left wants.

And what's wrong with that? I have my religion, I do not want, nor should I endure someone forcing theirs upon me. If I were Atheist, I would be just as upset of someone shoving a bible down my throat, as you would be if you were required to denounce your God. For example, would you be offended if you were required to vote at a Satanic cathedral?

[walden]

Doesn't it seem like there is no detail too trivial for the left to whine about? Makes me tired. I've raised two children, and I swear they were more adult at 5 than the left is at 35.

[FormerLib]

In November, set up the polling place inside this whiner's house. That should solve the problems quite nicely. LOL!

[sakic]

The author poses the question about whether people would object to voting being conducted in a mosque. Would that offend you?

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Of course, if the polling places were limited to non-religious sites, the same people would be complaining of lack of voter access.

Churches are chosen because they are among the most easily accessible locations -- large rooms, good parking lots, and in most areas of town.

I just checked. I live in a county centered on a major university. Of the approx. 70 polling places in the county, about 40 are churches. Good luck finding 40 non-religious sites to replace them.

[smith288]

My polling station was a church and there was no lobbying for joining or any tracks being handed out. I am a Southern Baptist yet I believe its inappropriate to do this in time of voting.

[sakic]

So mosques would be just fine too then?

[grellis]

Maybe she'd feel more comfotable if we all went and voted at her house.

[American_Centurion]

Wouldn't offend me one bit. But I'll be damned if I'll take off my shoes to vote!

[metesky]

Frida B. Anitwit