Religion and Recent Elections

Late in the recent elections a television ad was put on the air in North Carolina, where I live. The ad was from Sen. Elizabeth Dole, the republican incumbent, attacking democrat Kay Hagan, who was running against her. The ad questioned a fundraiser that Hagan attended that was sponsored by the group Godless Americans. You can find more out about the group with a quick Google search or at their website. Some people thought that the ad went to far and was questioning Hagan's faith. Hagan and others demanded the ad be pulled from television immediately or Hagan would sue. Dole refused to stop airing the ad and Hagan kept her word, filing suit for libel and defamation. She also fired back with an ad defending herself, talking about her background as a member of the Presbyterian church and her time as a Sunday school teacher. The ad ended with Hagan implying that Dole broke one of the ten commandments (#9) by bearing false witness against a neighbor. Dole responded with yet another ad (we've had what seems like an ad soap opera) saying bringing up the fundraiser was perfectly legitimate and asking voters 'if Godless Americans had a fundraiser in your honor would you go?' What I found disturbing is that no one ever backed up from the situation and really looked at what was going on here. This country was founded on the principles of democracy and fair representation of all Americans regardless of faith, race, gender, sexual preferences, etc. Atheists in America are entitled to their opinions and representation just like Christians, Jews, Muslims and every people of any other faith or lack thereof. No one even blinks an eye when a candidate goes to a fundraiser held by Methodists or any other religious group. Could you even imagine the outrage if a candidate had a tv ad attacking an opponent for going to a fundraiser sponsored by Jews? How is this series of ads any different? As a people we should be standing up for the rights of all the world's people. Ads like these are just unacceptable. As a quick side note, Dole lost her bid for re-election and Hagan has dropped the lawsuit.