By Dan Gilgoff and Eric Marrapodi, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editors
(CNN)–For the next four days, the eyes of the political world will be on Tampa, Florida, the site of the Republican National Convention (which will now get started Tuesday, after Tropical Storm Isaac cancelled Monday's events).
Though politics will be the name of the game, it's a safe bet that religion will also play a major role. The convention opens with a prayer from a Hispanic evangelical leader and closes with a benediction from a Catholic cleric who's sometimes called "America's pope."
In between, balloons will drop on the first Mormon to be nominated by a major political party to be president of the United States. Here are eight ways faith will matter this week. What did we leave out? Let us know in comments and we'll expand our list as warranted.
1. The ghost of Todd Akin
Most people couldn't pick him out of lineup and he won't be attending the convention this week. But the Missouri Senate candidate who claimed that women could prevent conception in cases of "legitimate rape" opened a rift in the Republican Party, with GOP chieftains pressuring him to drop out while some powerful conservative Christian activists rally to his defense. Those activists are using the Akin episode to allege that the Republican Party wants quash their socially conservative agenda even as it happily accepts their votes. If the infighting continues into this week, there could be a battle for GOP's soul at a moment when the GOP wants to project unity.
2. The M word
Even now that he's talking more about his religious faith, Mitt Romney almost never refers specifically to Mormonism or to his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And yet Romney has held a series leadership positions in his church. Will the Republican Party continue to studiously avoid one of its presidential candidate's defining characteristics? Or will some convention speaker make a case for why Romney's Mormonism is an asset? Will Romney himself mention his religion as he accepts his party's nomination?
3. Ladies night (or week)?
For months, the GOP has been on the defensive, as Democrats say Republicans are waging a "war on women," a theme the Dems began sounding when the American bishops blasted the White House for its contraception mandate for insurance companies earlier this year. This week, Republicans face a delicate balancing act in trying to assuage the concerns of moderate women voters while also satisfying its religiously conservative base. (See ghost of Todd Akin, above). A big part of that mission falls to Ann Romney, the Republican nominee's wife, and to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, both of whom have choice speaking slots.
4. The possibility of a culture war speech
"There is a religious war going on in this country," former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan told the 1992 Republican convention in a primetime address. "It is a cultural war, as critical to the kind of nation we shall be as the Cold War itself. For this war is for the soul of America." There are still debates over whether the speech, which provoked a media frenzy, helped or hurt President George H.W. Bush, who would go on to lose to Bill Clinton. But the Republican Party is keen on avoiding such moments as it tries to win over independents this fall. There's some nervousness about what Rick Santorum will say in his convention address.
5. Religious liberty
Many conservatives are livid over the Obama administration's requirement that health insurers offer free contraceptive coverage, even for employees of Catholic institutions. Plus, talking up religious liberty is likely less of a turnoff for moderate voters than is talk about bans on abortion and gay marriage, traditionally the top concerns of religious conservatives. Catholics and evangelicals, two key voting blocs, have been buzzing about religious liberty for months, with mega-pastor Rick Warren recently canceling plans for a presidential forum with Obama and Romney and announcing plans for one on religious liberty instead.
6. Israel
When it comes to foreign policy, look for convention speakers to try outdo one another in pledging support for the Jewish State - and in railing against Obama for what they'll allege are his administration's shabby treatment of a key American ally. Israel is especially important to the GOP's evangelical base, some of whom see a biblical bond with the Jewish people and some who believe Israel must be in Jewish control before the Second Coming can happen. Mitt Romney included Israel as one of his marquee stops on his recent foreign trip, including a photo-op at Jerusalem's Western Wall.
7. Hurricane theology
Will some televangelist claim that Tropical Storm Isaac, which is headed toward the Gulf Coast, is God's way of punishing the GOP for insufficient piety? It wouldn't be the first time a prominent preacher blamed severe weather on American insubordinance.
8. "America's pope"
The convention's closing prayer will be delivered by Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who leads the American Catholic bishops and is sometimes referred to as America's pope. It's a good indication of just how important the Catholic vote is thought to be this year, with Catholics accounting for 1 in 4 Americans and considered to be the quintessential swing bloc. Whoever wins these voters will likely win the White House.
As Christians we need to stand up and defend life and family as God created it and how Jesus conveyed to us.
Amen, Vik.
With god you also have nothing.
How do you get something that isn't there to begin with?
@Charles Darwin – With God I have obtained EVERYTHING my friend. You don't see God because this world and your flesh blind you but he is right there. All you need to do is provide a willing heart and you shall find him. He provides everything I have.
I feel sorry for those that have been brainwashed into believing in something that doesn't exist.
However, if it gets you through the day, go for it, but don't try to cram it down my throat.
@Vik100 – Everything but truth. Fairy tales are fun, i loved them as a kid. Its time for you to grow up though. Start pursuing truth.
Just got off the phone with Pat Robertson. Besides the divine intervention as described below, the Lord is sending Isaac to LA to remind everyone of Bush-II's (R) negligence with his mishandling of Katrina.
Vik, this is not a Christian country and it is not Jesus or God that gave us our rights.
Your beliefs are NOT universal and they do NOT const itute the basis of our laws or government.
Read something other than a bible for a change, you ignorant tosser.
Tom tom – just because you toss insults at others, it doesn't make your points more valid than theirs. In any case it only shows your ignorance and the typical immoral behavior that the media keeps pushing on everyone that sinning is the ONLY way. You keep believing that. I believe in God and Jesus Christ and that will never be compromised.
Good response, Vik.
The word of God is the only thruth for a Christian. Most Americans prefer to read and believe only on Harry Potter, Superman, Batman, and garbage like that.
@justright – Nobody has persued truth more than I have. I have found it, embraced it, and changed my life to follow Jesus' steps. The truth was not found in anything I ever did or had before because there is ONLY ONE truth.
Gee.....I'm surprised the Pope didn't show up to give his blessing to Romney.
The GOP party should change it's name to the GOD party.
Why anyone would vote for these self righteous nut jobs is beyond rational thinking.
Without God, you have nothing.
Absolutely! I stay far away from Religious fanatics! They are the worst kind. Just look at Romney. He and Ryan both look like madmen. Along with Rick Santorum. This country does not need to be run by religious zealots! As for contraceptives for women, it saves the lives of many women. My daughter's cycle stopped for months and she was at risk of cancer but birth control pills regulated her. Now she is better. It is not a man's business what a woman does to her body. President Obama has never said he is for abortion. MItt is a big liar!
I am glad to hear that faith will be a part of the RNC. We need more morality in politics.
Morality in politics is an oxymoron.
Moron in politics is more like it.
Yes! Phoney Faith. If you believe for one minute that Mitt Romney cares about these folks you are foolish! As for the Hispanic speaking, what a joke. Speaking for a man who told Hispanics to deport themselves and who goes along with the governor of AZ. This RNC is a ploy to make folks believe that Romney and his GOP really cares about all people. If you believe that then check out Romney's audience and then you will see who he represents.
I agree. Without a solid moral foundation. Our country is doomed.
The bible mentions gays 5 times. The bible mentions adultary 40 times. Which one do you think God thought was more important. Now look at the guys attending. Show of hands all of those caught cheating on their wives. The sin of adultary was punishable by death. Jesus did not make adultary go away or ok. Point in fact, he made it a sin just to look at another woman and want her carnally. He raised the bar to include thought crimes. Just who do you think you're fooling when you say you're god's party?
And the Bible doesn't mention abortion once.
The bible was written by men.
Just because men wrote it does not make it right or true.
No true Christian would vote for a Mormon. If you are ANY sort of Christian, you need to read up on the Mormon cult and find out what an affront to Christianity it is.
Now it's between you and God and on judgement day you will pay the price if you put a Mormin in power.
Amen!
There is nothing funnier than one cult member calling another persons cult... well ...another cult.
So you'd rather vote for someone who thinks it's OK to kill innocent unborn babies?
mormon or not – his family and faith values are strong and he has proclaimed Jesus Christ to be his savior. The way he lives is like a true Christian. He is not changing his view on abortion and gay marriage just to obtain more votes like Obama did.
Petercha: you vote for who you like but know that on judgement day, you will pay!
Mormonism is not Christian is because it denies one or more of the essential doctrines of Christianity. Of the essential doctrines (that there is only one God in all existence, Jesus is divine, God in flesh, forgiveness of sins is by grace alone (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:1-5), and Jesus rose from the dead physically (1 John 2:19; Luke 24:39), the gospel being the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, 1 Cor. 15:1-4), Mormonism denies three of them: how many gods there are, the God of Christianity, and His work of salvation.
All religions are cults.
No if and or buts about it.
That goes to show you the depth of the hatred that evangelicals have for Obama. They hate him so much they'd rather support a candidate who belongs to a religion they consider a cult, than to see Obama in the Oval Office for another 4 years.
@petercha,, And who is that? Certainly not President Obama. President Obama has never said anything about killing babies. Stop listening to the lies of Mitt. Birth control pills saved my daughter's life.
@michael – you are absolutely wrong. I voted for Obama the first time. I don't hate him. You are wrong in thinking that if people don't vote for Obama is because he is black and they hate him. That is the typical ignorant belief. I liked what Obama was bringing to the table but he has departed from his christian beliefs. (he had opposed abortions and gay marriage) and now he has flip flop'd on these major issues. I will not have that.
FYI, lib, Obama voted in favor of partial birth abortion while he was in the Illinois state legislature.
Petercha, I'll vote for the person who has a clue and knows that there are no "unborn babies", that women have a right to determine what is best for themselves, and that the government has no business regulating who can get contraception.
Don't like it? Don't have an abortion, don't use contraception. You don't get to tell others what to do.
Tom – "Don't like it? Don't have an abortion, don't use contraception. You don't get to tell others what to do." I sure hope you use the same argument about gun control, sodas in NYC, happy meals in San Francisco, the Mt. Soledad cross, and so on. Plus, it's not ME telling others what to do – if the government passes such laws, it would be the people telling others what to do. And we do it all the time, with laws against murder, theft, and so on.
Paul Ryan looks a lot like Eddy Munster.
@ yomamma. That there is just to funny!
Prayer changes things .
True Christians should not vote for a Mormon. If you are ANY sort of Christian, you need to read up on the Mormon cult and find out what an affront to Christianity it is.
Now it's between you and God and on judgement day you will pay the price if you put a Mormin in power.
Amen!
Why doesn't prayer change wars against other men?
Why doesn't prayer feed the starving in Africa?
Why doesn't prayer stop cancer?
Why doesn't prayer stop mental illness?
You have no rational answer for any of it so don't even try.
Prayer changes things. Proven. I prayed for jeebus and he and I got it together. So HeavenSent a night it was. TruthBeTold, it was just carnal. That Deacon guy told me about it. He had a CatholicEngineer from MiddleRiver arrange it all. So pryaer changed me. I'm carnal for Jeebus
You sir win the internet for today.
Charles Darwin – How much do you pray??
Why would that matter, Vik? Why aren't the prayers of the fundies sufficient?
tom tom – do you have a mom? did she ever pray for you?? have you ever prayed for her? how about your wife or children? or are you so selfish that you only live for yourself?
Vik, what's wrong? Can't answer the questions asked of you? Why is that?
Figures.
tom tom – I answered. do you need drawings? Are you saying that just because your mom prayed for you, that should be enough prayers for you and your generation??
It's too bad the GOP decided not to invite Dubya or Sarah Palin to speak at their convention. If they came to Tampa they could all hop on the bus and ride down to the Ringling Bros. Circus Museum and join the rest of the clowns.
Here come the Jesus freaks....the HYPOCRITICAL Jeus freaks, I might add.
Judge other much, bobcat?
CNN pundits predictably sucking-up to Romney and supporting the Republican's the holier-than-thou narrative, while leaving out the contradictions in Romney's Mormon faith and mainstream Protestantism.
This will be the first time I'm voting Republican.
Are you bragging or complaining?
you've been watching a lot of FOX News lately haven't you. 🙂
Great news... i am with you i voted Obama last time i wont make the same mistake twice.
boocat
Are you bragging or complaining?
Great comeback !
In order for all things to have a good end result, they must have a good moral foundation. America's inmorality has only kept getting bigger with abortions (at the rate Americans have it) and with legalizing gay marriage and now with forcing everyone to pay for contraception. Without a good moral backbone America is doomed.
Oh, stop hyperventilating, Vikkie. Gay marriage isn't "immoral" just because you think it is. Neither is abortion. Neither of those issues affect you in the slightest.
Get over your silly notion that electing a Republican will somehow make all these issues go away–this is the 21st century, not 1950.
And how ignorant are you? "Everybody" isn't paying for contraception, you dolt. Our insurance premiums pay for our medications.
Amen, Vik. Well said.
Tom tom – Gay marriage is immoral and conducive of more destruction of family values. That garbage needs to be dealt with and stopped.
tom tom – who pays for those ins. premiums?? Aliens?
I PAY PREMIUMS, you azz. I pay the premiums that fund your weight-loss and smoking cessation programs and your Viagra prescription, you idiot.
As for gay marriage, show me ONE SINGLE ADVERSE EFFECT it has had in the states where it is already legal.
"Dealt with and stopped." Says who? You? You are in the minority, bubba. And I don't care if you think it's "immoral" or what your bible or your god say about it. They aren't the law. They don't run this country.
Morality isn't the basis of law. Rights are.
tom tom – Obama wants to make you pay for contraceptives with those premiums. Oh, and I don't smoke, use viagra or any of those things my friend. God created me one way and I will exit this world as such.
tom tom – Jesus was not the majority was he? He stood by what was right and did the will of his father.
Appease the hill folk, GOP. Guns and religion. Etc.
A more important story is who the Democrats have decided to lead their convention in "prayer:" a radical Muslim Imam who has in the past openly expressed his desire for Muslims to rule the U.S.
troll
Wouldn't surprise me.
Bottom Line: Seperation of Church and State! When are we going to stand up and hold the GOP accountable to this fact?
Idiot. The first amendment clearly stated government (federal) cannot interfere with religion. It never say separation between state and religion. In fact, it never said that religion cannot influence poilitical level. Try again.
If and when it becomes a problem. Thus far it has NOT been a problem.
The tendency of the GOP is to complain that their religious rights are being violated by the "libs". Whenever someone mentions separation of church and state they claim there's a war on religion. It's all BS. Seperation of church and state means just that.
The two biggest corrupting factors in American politics – religion ........... money ...........
and that goes for them all .............
People of all sorts and kinds are corrupted.. NOT religion.
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”
– Stephen Roberts
This is WRONG! Religion is a PRIVATE matter, and should not be used in anything to do with government, including political parties and elections! Our founding fathers WARNED us about this!
Absolutely agree!
And in other news at the DNC we have homphobic, muslims leaders giving prayers.
Oh. sshhhh!
This is particularly interesting after reading how all the Tampa strip joints are ramping up for a busy week.
'god' is an idiotic idea promoted by immoral people to control and pacify the weak minded.
Believe me, I have no great love for the democrats, but when it comes to religion they are definitely the lesser of two evils.