
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 22, 1993                   TAG: 9310220221
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

CANDIDATES FOR 12TH TACKLE RELIGIOUS ISSUES

After a series of face-to-face forums on health care, education and prisons, 12th District House candidates Nick Rush and Jim Shuler were confronted Thursday by the bugaboo of American politics: religion.

Rush, a Christiansburg Republican, and Shuler, a Blacksburg Democrat, faced tough but thoughtful questions at a forum sponsored by the Blacksburg United Methodist Men.

Moderator David Barker said members of the congregation, who later complimented the candidates for running an issues-oriented race, submitted the questions.

One member wanted to know if the candidates thought creationism should receive equal time with evolutionism in public schools.

Shuler, a veterinarian, said he found it difficult to separate creationism from religious doctrine. "No, I could not go along with equal billing," he said.

Rush, a delivery driver and Montgomery County supervisor, said he wasn't sure if it would be a matter for the House of Delegates to decide. He said he felt creationism theories have a place in the public schools if the local school board so desires.

But, Rush said, "I don't know if it has an equal billing [with evolution] or where it belongs."

Another church member asked if the separation of church and state was meant to be interpreted to exclude Christians and Christian ethics from public life.

Rush said he didn't believe Christians or their beliefs should be excluded from involvement in politics. On the other hand, he said, "I don't believe you should put your views over on anyone else."

He did not discuss his personal religious beliefs.

Shuler, however, said he was raised in one Christian denomination in Page County and later married into a Baptist church.

"I feel I'm a Christian person, but I feel I do not have to impose my beliefs on somebody else who does not believe like I do," Shuler said. "My feeling is that government has no business in religious matters, and I mean that in the broadest sense."

Barker asked about another sensitive issue involving religion and politics: abortion. What did the candidates believe when it came to state funding for abortions and whether parents should be notified if an underage daughter planned to have an abortion?

Rush said no state funds should pay for abortions, because a large segment of the taxpaying population is morally opposed it.

As for parental notification - a perennial issue in the General Assembly - Rush said parents have a right to know if their minor daughter is planning an abortion. However, he said, there should be a judicial override provision.

Shuler said abortion is a matter "best left to the woman, her conscience and her God."

He said he does not believe state money should be used, because some women could use abortion as birth control.

He said he would not support parental notification.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB