Not too long ago, a constituent sent me an e-mail asking about my worldview. This week with the Republican Convention and the typical GOP focus on certain issues, I thought this would be a great opportunity to post those questions and my answers.

I realize there are areas where some may disagree, but I hope that despite these differences, we can all find enough common ground to continue to help guide this nation on the right path.

1)  At what point does a baby get human rights?

I believe that the questions of when human life begins and when the government has a right to assert it’s authority over life are two separate issues.

Does life begin at conception, birth, or somewhere in between? God only knows. I personally believe that it is wrong to snuff out even a potential life without exceptional circumstances such as rape, incest, or danger to health and well being of the life of the mother.

When we talk about the legality of the issue, I believe that the choice of aborting an unborn life is a complex moral and personal decision that is ultimately between the mother and father, and God. The state has no business in imposing and enforcing its will in this matter.

I understand some may disagree with me, but all I can say here is if my wife were pregnant and her life was in danger, I would not want to wait for an act of congress to decide her fate.

2)  How do you define marriage?

I personally define marriage as my Faith dictates as a union between man and woman. But again here we have a question of legality and what is the proper role of the state in personal relationships.

We live in a free society, and that means that except in cases when an individuals actions directly harm or impose upon others, they should be given the choice to make their own decisions. In terms of the law, I see a marriage as a binding contract between individuals. It is up to those individuals, and their community of Faith to give that relationship meaning before God.

 3) Does evil exist? And if it does, what should we do to counter it?

Evil exists in the hearts and minds of men and women everywhere. It is expressed in actions that spread violence, fear, greed, anger, and hatred around the world everyday regardless of the petty reasons that people chose to try and justify such acts. I also believe in the power and potential of redemption, and so to counter evil, it is not for me as a mortal human being to say that any man or woman is good or evil. We must judge people based on their actions, and the principles of human rights and the rule of law must apply equally to all.

4)  Should all citizens have the right to publicly profess and observe their religious faith?

The right to publicly profess and observe one’s faith is an essential American value. The separation of “church and state” that is enshrined in our constitution exists not only to protect the institutions of government from the undue influence of any single religion, but also to guarantee that the state does not impose its will on any religion.

That’s why it is essential that when we come together as Americans to decide the course of government affairs, we be guided as individuals by our Faith, and speak and act a nation within the common framework of the constitution and laws that we all share without citing religious laws and beliefs that may divide us from each other.