John McCain

Presidential hopeful John McCain is being lambasted by Muslim and Jewish groups for stating his belief that the United States was founded as a "Christian" nation and that his personal preference is that the person leading the United States share in his faith.

McCain clarified his remarks on Sunday night:

"What I do mean to say is the United States of America was founded on the values of Judeo-Christian values, which were translated by our founding fathers which is basically the rights of human dignity and human rights," he said.

"I believe that anyone can be president of the United States of any faith," McCain said, saying he was angry his remarks were misinterpreted but "there's nothing I can do about it."

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesperson for the Council on American-Islamic Relations took exception with McCain's comments because they seem to suggest that Islam is not a religion that values human dignity or the concept of human rights.

"Sorry, Islam and other faiths have their basis in human dignity," Hooper said.

However, one has to question if this is essentially true? Can Islam to be said to be a religion that values human dignity and human rights when Islamic-rule governments regularly torture, imprison and put to death converts from Islam? Or how about the treatment of women within Islamic culture?

As this relates to John McCain, who recently stated this week he is a practicing Baptist, isn't it sad that a Presidential candidate cannot publically state his personal preference that the leader of the United States share his religious beliefs and values? Does expressing his own personal views disqualify him from service? Must our political leaders be so publicly open minded that we have no idea of what they really value and treasure personally?