Occasionally you'll hear folks speculate that Bernie Sanders is an atheist, because he rarely talks about his religious views. There were some clues that this wasn't so, if you listen to him in interviews, it's not unusual for him to interject phrases like I hope to God such and such... or God help us if such and such... Which of course are not uncommon idioms. But if you attended or listened to the kickoff of his campaign, on the waterfront in Burlington, Vermont, there was another clue: the kickoff began with a young African American singer's incredibly stirring rendition of "God Bless America." Again, that's not proof of anything, just a hint.
Well, here's a rare glimpse of him speaking directly on this subject, published in today's Burlington Free Press:
Sanders doesn’t generally speak about his own religious views. He said he’s proud to be Jewish, and though he’s “not much into” organized religion, he wouldn’t be doing what he is today if he were not “spiritual.”
“I believe that there is a connection between all living things, and that my belief in God requires me to do all that I can to follow the ‘Golden Rule,’ to do unto others and as I would have them do unto me,” he said. “As a public servant, it requires me to do all that I can to ensure that every person lives with dignity and security.”