Someone who can't understand the separation between church and state definitely is too stupid to be president.

What a jerk. Apparently he hasn't read that little thing about "freedom of religion" and the separation of church and state. To quote Leo in Titanic, "I'm going to write...a very sternly worded letter..." :-)

Well he is of course entitled to his opinion. As a Buddhist, I don't think it's an appropriate statement for a presidential candidate to make, but I understand why he's making it. Politics is an ugly business, and politicians try to play to the widest possible audience normally. Christians make up the majority of the religious population, so they're an obvious target for anyone who wants support, and in fact the partnership between Christian churches and the political right has been a key driving force in the Republican party for quite some time now. If he failed to make appeals to this group, his chances of nomination would be much smaller. Likewise, atheists and people of other faiths are less likely demographically to be Republican, so he probably sees them as "not my customers" anyway. This makes the statement a reasonably safe way to shore up support from those likely to vote Republican. From a personal standpoint, I would not be interested in getting all riled up about this. To me, Buddhism isn't about competing with other religions for "mindspace" in the public arena, it's about being authentic in my own life and doing my best each day to express my own understanding and realization. If I were to ride a wave of personal indignation into a vociferous condemnation speech as a reaction to McCain's statement, it's not clear how that would be helping my efforts to be aware, balanced, satisfied, and helpful.

McCain is courting a popular misconception among Fundamentalist Christians, which make up an important core voting group for Republicans. McCain is manipulating these easily tricked folks to convince them he is one of their extremists members. McCain doesn't care what the rest of the world or America thinks, because he is desperately trying to scratch his way back up the polls to win the Republican primaries. Getting nominated is the only thing McCain cares about, and he is willing like Romney or like several other candidates to say anything that will stir up his base for the early voting polls. Later McCain will probably 'clarify' what he meant, in other words, he will lie his way out of this.

It would make me angry.... except that this is such a common, if not idiotic, misconception. We came here... running from a "tyrannical" religion-led society..... and established that this country's people have freedom of religion and that church and state are seperated. I have noticed that several politicians bring up religion to get the members of that religions vote. It is always Christianity.... why? Because there are plenty of them. It is usually for the fundimentalist Christian religious right/republican groups. Bush pled in almost all the debates I watched that he was a Christian..... eventually Kerry responded with "and I'm Catholic; I was raised in church too". Not that I support Kerry really, just saying. I think that because the religious "right" and the republicans are so closely entertwined (most "bible belt" states are republican states) Politicians feel that if they force this particular religion as bieng theirs, and make it public, or plead it as thier basis for reasoning... They will get the vote. Calling the US a "Christian Nation" is just a huge plea for fundamentalist/Christian votes. This shows McCains desperation.... and general lack of knowledge about laws and rights governing this nation. A clear indication that he does not belong in any major office. IMHO.... I would love a candidate who instantly said "hey, let's not bring religion into this! This is an election.... not a sunday service! Religion and Politics should never mix" I'd rather have someone who did not boast their religion. So, it bugs me.... it does.... but it's all too common to really get p!ssed over!

Sounds like three more reasons NOT to vote for him. He couldn't be more wrong. He reminds me of my Dad, not in a good way.

According to the U.N., the U.S. is considered a Christian nation. Iran is Muslim and Australia is secular. He is correct in his facts, though that last part -- not in quotes -- may be more pandering than anything else.

For us being a Christian nation - unfortunately, that is true. Our first commandment... errr... Amendment only protects different sects of Christianity. While many of our founding fathers were, shall we say, "non-traditionalists". The fundamentalists and Repub... Christ... Conservatives have seemed to have forgotten this. Shit, they even forgot that typical Republicans want a smaller, less intrusive government and want the government to dictate our sexual orientation! While I have a LOT of respect for Senator McCain as a person, I till question his resolution. If nothing else, he seemed to waffle a bit. He totally opposed W and now supports his every move? */me wants pres w/ backbone*

Even though Great Britain is a Christian Nation with Church of England as its state religion, it is the most Secular Country allowing freedom of religion for all. We do not know under what context McCain calls US as a Christian nation. According to my understanding US Constitution does not say so.The First Amendment to the US Constitution brought in 1791 relates to "Freedom Religion, Press, Expression" keeps the Government out of Religion.

a serious violation of separation of church and state

I may be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure that ALL of the current candidates for President are indeed Christian.