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.

[r9etb]

FRIDA GHITIS

I think that's Central Peruvian for "Fraidy Cat."

As in ... "I'm afraid that if I enter a church, I'll have to admit that God really exists."

[WinOne4TheGipper]

No. I'd understand that that's just where the polling place is. I wouldn't be offended simply because it's in a mosque and I'm not a Muslim. Anyone who would be is immature, IMHO. Same with this lady (dude?).

[Celtjew Libertarian]

So mosques would be just fine too then? Yes.

[kevkrom]

And the author thinks voting in public schools is any better? I'm speaking as someone who had to walk past a "help the homeless" poster on my way to my polling location...

The truth is that schools and churches are local buildings designed for easy public access. That makes them natural choices for polling locations. I've had both at various times in my life,and there was never a problem like the author suggests.

[johniegrad]

I'd be interested to know if this woman lodged a complaint with the local voting officials or with the election board. Perhaps she simply used what she knew would be a controversial viewpoint to be able to publish an OpEd in the AJC.

[grellis]

Voting in a mosque wouldn't offend me at all, personally. First, as Sinkspur pointed out, voting is not done in the house of worship itself but in a community room adjacent to the place of worship or in a separate structure on church grounds. As for the possibility that I may be offended by posters extolling the virtues of Islam, again, I would NOT be offended. I am secure in my beliefs.

[Hodar]

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.

And this is exactly as it should be. I grew up in a smal farming community, and the Luthern Church basement served as the local polling place. During this time, all the bulletin boards were clean, there were no posters hanging on any walls (except those related to the voting process) and the Sunday school rooms were all shut. An honest attempt was made to make the church basement as non-religous as possible. As soon as the polls closed, the church posters, rosters and displays went back up. I do believe that MOST churches that generously donate their time and space provide these considerations. However, I doubt that 100% of them do.

[dfwgator]

So mosques would be just fine too then?

If the Mosques meet the criteria for easy access, sure.

[CFC__VRWC]

In many rural areas of the country, (like mine), churches are about the only buildings around that qualify as public places. I vote at a Baptist church just down the road from my house. We used to vote at a volunteer fire station down the road, but the firemen sort of drifted away and the county ended up closing it several years ago. Other than a couple of restaurants, bars and convenience stores, ther's nowhere else within at least five miles where large numbers of people can gather to vote. What are we supposed to do, just vote on a street corner somewhere? That could work most of the time here in Florida (assuming it's not raining), but in someplace like Massachussetts the poll workers are going to get awfully cold sitting outdoors for 12 hours in November.

[r9etb]

It's just the general tone of "oh ick, I'm in a church" I find interesting.

I recognize the attitude from the days when I was a heathen, and it's not really "oh ick," even if that's how she's stating it.

Her response is one of fear -- real fear. She feels God's presence, and is afraid because it means that all of her carefully nurtured, self-centered beliefs and opinions are wrong. It means she's not what she thought she was. It means that she's got to die to this world, and be born again.

Christianity is a very simple religion. It's also very expensive.

[r9etb]

So mosques would be just fine too then?

Sure. Why not?

[sawmill trash]

Maybe we should see if the government will build polling place buildings in every precinct in America so no one will feel ostracized. </sarcasm>

[anniegetyourgun]

xactly. I have been wondering for years when the Left would argue "separation of church and state" in the case of voting locations. Especially since they have such a fear of being converted (as if that were possible) by a Christian. Besides, it creates cognitive dissonance when they get there and find that there aren't any 3-eyed, snake-handling, drooling and raving, bible-thumper types hanging around.

I next expect to read an article wherein the author wants to remove all the crosses in Arlington.

[kevkrom]

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

Not at all. You'd have a hard time finding a mosque that would let a bunch of "infidels" trapse through all day, though.

[Meletus]

"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?"


Your use of the terminology being "forced" into a religion, having a Bible "shoved" down one's throat, is obviously figurative language, to describe efforts of some at persuading you. By your take: the democrats have been forcing me to be a democrat all these years--constantly hammering me with their unwanted propaganda. The athiests at my public university were shoving anti-religious pap down my throat at every opportunity. Coercion pure and simple. It must be stoppped! --- The only word for such nonsense is nonsense. Free speech is not the equivalent of coercing anybody to do anything. Of course, for several years now free speech has only been deemed legitimage for the left, for liberals, and for anti-religion. I hardly expected to read such imbecility on Free Republic.

[spodefly]

The pathetic author of this article lives in Atlanta.

So do I. And I vote at the First Presbyterian Church on Peachtree Street. I voted yesterday. The entrance to the area where you vote is free from any religious materials. It looks like the entrance to any banquet hall, convention room. The only way anyone could be upset by using that facility to vote is if they have a chip on their shoulders against churches.

First Presbyterian also has a massive church organ in the sanctuary, and after voting I go in to listen to the organist practice. Added bonus that has happened the last two times I have voted there.

[Protagoras]

She is exhibiting another liberal trait that could be easily missed.

Namely that she thinks other people are stupid and can't be trusted to not be influenced by the surroundings.

Because I can assure you, she will vote for liberals no matter what. Clearly she is worried about some unnamed imbeciles.

[Protagoras]

And I vote at the First Presbyterian Church on Peachtree Street.

If it's like a lot of Presbyterian churches, whoever votes there is in liberal land.

[spodefly]

If it's like a lot of Presbyterian churches, whoever votes there is in liberal land.

Well, it is right here in the heart of midtown Atlanta, the most liberal part of the most liberal city in Georgia. But, as I said, the entrance to the area where one votes is in a different part of the building than the Sanctuary. It looks like any 'big room' where a banquet or dinner or any type of gathering could be held. No posters, no proselytizing. Just a room.

[feedback doctor]

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."

Wow! I really see the politics in a movie poster. I might have missed it on the poster for "The Passion" but apparently this writer saw something on it that said "if you don't vote Republican you killed the Messiah."