If a black person votes for Obama

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by YOhio

only because of his race, does that make the voter a racist? I really don't think so. No more than it makes a Mormon voting for Romney a religious bigot.

But doesn't that by extension also mean that race can be an important factor in deciding who to vote for without at the same time being racist, or does the gate not swing both ways?

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by Tex

Minorities cannot be racists. You know this, YOhio.

They can only be racists if they are more numerous than some other minority and have racist sentiments towards that other minority.

Thus, the Lithuanians are a bunch of racist bastards when it comes to Liechtensteinians.

[myboynoah]

Isn't it a matter of motivation, negative or positive? If a white person votes for Hillary because the motivation is to vote against Obama because he is partially black, then that would be racist. If a black person votes for Obama because he is black, that doesn't seem racist, his/her motiviation is positive affirmation.

Hence, I am led to believe that SU is a religious bigot when it comes to Mormons because I have read him many times here claim a person's religious beliefs are a legitimate reason not to vote for that person (often made while disparaging Mitt).

This makes SU and Huckabee perfect soul mates.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by myboynoah

Isn't it a matter of motivation, negative or positive? If a white person votes for Hillary because the motivation is to vote against Obama because he is partially black, then that would be racist. If a black person votes for Obama because he is black, that doesn't seem racist, his/her motiviation is positive affirmation.

Hence, I am led to believe that SU is a religious bigot when it comes to Mormons because I have read him many times here claim a person's religious beliefs are a legitimate reason not to vote for that person (often made while disparaging Mitt).

This makes SU and Huckabee perfect soul mates.

You believe it's inappropriate to vote for someone or not vote for them because of their beliefs?

[myboynoah]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

You believe it's inappropriate to vote for someone or not vote for them because of their beliefs?

In general I think it innapropriate to vote against someone because of their religious beliefs or lack thereof. Of course there will be exceptions (practices that are unlawful or tenets that espouse denial of civil rights, for example), but to the extent that one's belief or lack thereof would not affect how one carried out one's duties, I think it is bigotry to do so.

I see little problem with people voting for someone based on that person's religious beliefs or lack thereof.

Okay, so now throw out some crazy scenario that I can't possibly defend. But please keep it close to your reasons for not voting for a Mormon ("How can anyone vote for someone that believes this crazy stuff?").

[Flystripper]

belief is a choice
belief reflects judgement

Skin color is not a choice
skin color does not reflect judgement

Making a decision to vote for or against a person based on their judgement and choices is ok in my book. Making a decision to vot for or against someone based on the color of skin is not ok in my book.

Religion and Race are not =

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by Flystripper

belief is a choice
belief reflects judgement

Skin color is not a choice
skin color does not reflect judgement

Making a decision to vote for or against a person based on their judgement and choices is ok in my book. Making a decision to vot for or against someone based on the color of skin is not ok in my book.

Religion and Race are not =

Blacks voting for a black person because he is black = not racism

Whites voting for a white person because she is white = racism

[myboynoah]

Originally Posted by Flystripper

belief is a choice
belief reflects judgement

Skin color is not a choice
skin color does not reflect judgement

Making a decision to vote for or against a person based on their judgement and choices is ok in my book. Making a decision to vot for or against someone based on the color of skin is not ok in my book.

Religion and Race are not =

Does the same hold true should you be in a position to hire someone?

[Flystripper]

Originally Posted by myboynoah

Does the same hold true should you be in a position to hire someone?

lol I see where you are headed. I never ask about a person's religion when interviewing them. Do you? I do ask many questions that let me see how the candidate makes decisions and uses their judgement. I do ask questions that allow me to know if the candidate is technically competent.

The law does not allow for me to make hiring decisions based on religion.

FWIW companies indirectly make hiring decisions based on religion all the time. If the Jewish man won't work on the Sabbath, he may not get the job. If the Mormon guy won't work on Sunday, he may not get the job. If a muslim fundamentalist applied at our firm and we felt that he would not work well with a woman boss, he would not get the job. Reasons other than religion are sighted for not hiring these people, but religion is unofficially a factor because of how it shapes the candidates behavior.

The same is true for voting. People will give other reasons for not voting for a candidate that is a member of a "fringe religion", but it is often because the candidate's beliefs shape their behavior in a way that the voter is not comfortable with.

I have no problem with this at all and it is not equal to racisim.

[YOhio]

Originally Posted by Flystripper

belief is a choice
belief reflects judgement

Skin color is not a choice
skin color does not reflect judgement

Making a decision to vote for or against a person based on their judgement and choices is ok in my book. Making a decision to vot for or against someone based on the color of skin is not ok in my book.

Religion and Race are not =

Sometimes voting for a member of a certain race is a political statement beyond whatever ideology the individual stands for. Sometimes it's not. In this case, I wouldn't begrudge a black person voting for Barack Obama purely as a political statement on race.