Candidates have used their personal religious views in past presidential campaigns and I see that this election will be no different. Candidates will continue to do so at their own peril however.

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There is absolutely no way to explain the horror of indiscriminate killing other than to say that it raises the broad issues of increasing violence especially among the young.

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The concept of "don't ask don't tell," has been a painful failure for the U.S. military and has no place in the Episcopal Church.

One's sexual orientation in the Episcopal Church may not be used as a prohibition against ordination and same-sex relationships may not be used as a qualifier for ordination to either the priesthood or deaconate.

The issue of human sexuality should be based on loving, healthy relationships and not on sexual mechanics or in inappropriate proof-texting of Holy Scripture.

Celibacy is a gift from God and should not be used as a requirement for one's response to God's call to serve in the ordained or lay ministries of the Episcopal Church.

It is a sad state of affairs when the religious community spends so much time on this issue when the deterioration of the human condition continues to plague God's children throughout the world.

We spend too much time confessing the so-called sexual sins of others instead of addressing with vigor and human resources that are needed to address the sins of omission that demean the lives of so many throughout the Global Community as defined by the Millenium Development Goals.

Responding to alleviate suffering poverty, disease, homelessness, natural disasters, and the demeaning of the human condition by internal or external forces is a requirement that is directed to the broad Christian Community through the core teachings of Jesus.

Jesus was acutely aware that the poor would always be with us but that did not mean that we should not engage in the hard work of ending poverty.

Churches by themselves or broad Christian denominations globally cannot end such conditions that demean, demoralize and destroy the creatures of God....but we can be the "weavers" that bring faith-based organizations, non-profits, the corporate sector and government agencies worldwide together to address, relieve and possibly alleviate such conditions.

Dangers inherent in such efforts however are that large, unaffiliated churches and even huge traditional denominations such as the Roman Catholic Church and Anglican Communion would see such aid, support and relief as a way of gaining converts in exchange for services rendered.

Such leadership is extremely important, especially given the instantaneous forms of communications available to denominational and global religious communities. A leader who is an introvert will have a difficult time engaging with the challenges, conflicts, needs and demands of his or her constituencies. An extrovert can generate engagement and enthusiasm for a common goal or mission. A narcissist will provide lots of support and engagement with those who agree with him or her but will usually close the door on those they disagree with. As the "family systems" researcher Peter Steinke so often reminds us, narcissists are usually found in the professions of musicians, actors and clergy and at times a mixture of some or all.