WASHINGTON — Teenagers are being offered an opportunity to engage what has emerged as one of the most vexing questions in the 2012 presidential campaign: Is it fair to evaluate a candidate by his or her religious faith?
The Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest, sponsored by the Religious Liberty Council of the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty, is open to all high school students in the graduating classes of 2012 and 2013. The scholarship contest offers a grand prize of $1,000 and airfare and lodging for two to Washington. Second prize is $500, and third prize is $100.
To enter the contest, students must write an essay addressing the following topic: The religious beliefs and affiliations of presidential candidates often become campaign issues. Is that fair? Should presidential candidates talk about their religious beliefs? Are there certain religion-related questions each candidate should or should not have to answer? In an essay, examine the role religion should play during a presidential campaign.
Students must use and cite sources in their essays, such as the U.S. Constitution and news articles. Essays must be between 800-1,200 words, and they must be mailed — along with registration forms — and postmarked by March 15, 2012, to be eligible.
Complete rules and contest entry forms are available at www.BJConline.org/contest.