The "God"-less Debates

 

by Massimo Calabresi

In the nearly sixteen thousand words uttered last night in the debate between John McCain and Barack Obama, one was noticeably absent: God. The deity got not a single mention, not even a perfunctory "God Knows," or "Good God," or "God Bless America". In fact, in the three presidential debates, McCain and Obama have completed a surprising sweep: no mention of "God", the "Lord", or even a higher power.

In contrast, the word "God" was invoked twice during the first Bush-Kerry debate (both times in closing God Bless Americas by the candidates), twice in the second debate (once in a Kerry reference to the Pledge of Allegiance, and again by Bush with a departing GBA), and fully nine times in the third Bush-Kerry debate, seven times by Kerry and two by Bush. Sprinkled throughout the Bush-Kerry debates were the occasional "Lord", "heaven" or other divine references.

Why the God-free gab fest this time? A few possible reasons leap to mind. First, the country's focus is very much on real-world problems of everyday Americans right now. The economic crisis has eaten up much of the time in these debates, with lengthy exegeses on plans for job creation, tax plans and the $700 billion bailout plan. If there are no atheists in foxholes, perhaps there are agnostics amid bank runs.

http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/10/the_godless_debates.html