What's God got to do with it?

Let's get right to it: I wish God would pull out of politics. Or rather, I wish all the candidates would stop referencing religion and saying such things as "...with God's help" and "my deep faith in God" and dare I say, even "God Bless America". Oh, I know this will get me some hate mail, but before you get all angry, just listen. It's not that I'm not religious. In fact, I come from a very strong and positive religious background (and many different religions at that, from strong Southern Baptist ties to Judaism). But really, what does God have to do with running the country or a large business or anything else besides a place of worship, for that matter? Do we think he or she will actually look down upon America and bless it more than other places (and if we'd want him/her to, is that very "Christian" of us?), or help whomever is running things to know what to do? God forbid.

I know the candidates have to say these things. I know they have to profess their deep faith in God in order to be electable. But I often step back and see this profession as superfluous and ineffective and even offensive. I dislike it even when I hear it even from "my" candidate (and I don't give a flying you-know-what whether Obama believes in God - he's still a damn good guy). Remember separation of church and state? I'd like to bring that discussion back in full force. I for one, don't give a damn whether my President believes in the afterlife and creationism (unless they want to teach it in the schools). What I do care about, is that my President is a good person that will maximize personal freedom, health, and economic strength; that will make the world a better place and be a strong leader. Does the candidate praise Jesus? Praise Allah? Praise Mother Earth? I just don't care. In fact I'd rather the candidate simply praise doing good for the country, and further, for the world at large, and leave God out of the whole discussion. I feel this way because my grandmother and grandfather, quite possibly the kindest most giving people ever to cross this earth, and also devout Southern Baptists, showed me that who or what you believe in matters not in relation to how you act.

Deep South natives, devout Baptists, and at least thrice-weekly church-goers, they were also devout  Democrats who championed the rights of people of all colors, religious beliefs, sexual orientations and socio-economic status. Both public school teachers of special needs kids, they chose to attend the Baptist Center on the East side of town rather than the First Baptist Church of Savannah with the majority of their Caucasian peers. (This alone makes no point, but the fact that they gave anywhere from one third to one half of everything they ever made to the Center, and thus to the economically depressed African American community in Savannah, shows me that they truly wanted to help).

My grandparents praised Jesus nearly constantly in their own daily lives and often professed their love for him during mundane daily tasks. I was always being caught off-guard by some or another of their spontaneous shouts-out to Jesus. And yet, they never, ever preached. I never heard one "you should" or "he should" or "she should" spoken by either of them in relation to religion. Jesus was their personal savior and they acted in the mirror of his example. That example was kindness, acceptance, and desire to make the world a better place. Further, they praised Jesus and God for giving them the power (insight as to how) to make the world a better place and they used that power to the fullest, displaying positive action and real warmth and love for humanity in all aspects of their lives. That's Christianity. And the thing is, ditto for Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and anything else to do with a positive power called God, and dare I say, ditto for folks who are simply good grounded people with no religious affiliation, who care about making the world a better place.

Can't we all just take religion, keep it in our hearts and souls and off the ballot, and elect folks based on the issues and their personal strengths? Do we need our leaders to profess their belief in God at all, and then in a certain way? And if so, why? With all the religion-based warring and terrorism and hate crimes occurring these days, I'd love to hear a convincing reason for religion remaining in the realm of politics in the United States of America.

Oh and p.s. if God does indeed represent eternal love and goodness I seriously believe she or he would have my back on this one.