Benedict XVI’s visit to the U.S. will be watched closely by people in America and across the world. Many will flock to see him; seats at Yankee Stadium have already been sold out. However, the Pope is relatively new to the job and remains enigmatic and unpredictable on many issues. Most Americans and most around the globe still know little about this Pontiff. A skilled and experienced theologian, who was gatekeeper for Pope John Paul II on Catholic doctrine, he lacks his predecessor's skills in connecting with populations, in particular, with those who are not Catholics."

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The politicization of scholars, experts and media commentators post-9/11 has created a minefield for policymakers and the general public as they search for answers to questions.

"Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think" is a new book based upon The Gallup World Poll which covers 95% of the world’s population. Since 2001, Gallup has conducted more than 50,000 hour-long, face-to-face interviews with residents of more than 35 nations that are predominantly Muslim or have substantial Muslim populations. The result is the largest and most comprehensive poll of the Muslim world, representing the voices of more than 90% of the world’s 1.3 billion Muslims, young and old, educated and illiterate, female and male, living in urban and rural settings, makes this the largest, most comprehensive study of contemporary Muslims ever done.

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The Question: How should Barack Obama have responded to inflammatory remarks made by his former pastor, Dr. Jeremiah Wright? Are you responsible for what your spiritual leader says from the pulpit?

The media's coverage and comments made by some political commentators and politicians demonstrate the extent to which the focus on religion in the presidential elections and in politics in general has gotten out of hand. Politicians exploit the religious question both using it to garner votes and to raise questions about opponents. Barack Obama has had to deal with those who would make his connection to both Islam and Christianity an issue.

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Jesus in the 21st century would be different from Jesus and his message in the context of New Testament times.

That said, the Jesus of the Gospels and Paul's epistles, would be neither a Democrat nor a Republican, at least not as these parties are currently configured.

He would be seen as a radical (and by some as politically naive), as in counter establishment and counter cultural, preacher and candidate. Jesus ministry, worldview and message would be inclusive not exclusive, reject an "us" and "them" vision, emphasize peace not war, the Eight Beatitudes rather than sanctions and weapons of mass destruction, unequivocally condemn social and economic injustice, support the ordination of women (given what we now know about the role of women in Jesus and apostolic times).

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Let me begin by saying that think it is unfortunate that a candidate's religion, belief and practice have become campaign issues. Watching reporters press candidates not only on what they believe but whether and how often they pray or on the religious beliefs of another candidate seems contrary to the separation of church and state and our political traditions. It is especially ironic given the concerns in the past regarding Catholic candidates (Al Smith and later John Kennedy) and today regarding Muslim candidates). The focus of presidential politics should remain political, economic and social issues. Those for whom religious values are paramount can still bring their beliefs or moral conscience to bear by privately judging a candidate's positions in light of their faith and beliefs.

All the current candidates have taken care to mention their faith and values and reach out to conservative or religious right voters for whom religion affects or informs their vote. While all have courted this constituency, Huckabee has done it the most aggressively and it has paid off in many of the states he has done well in.

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s comments regarding the need in Great Britain to consider whether English law should accommodate some aspects of Islamic law reflects a context significantly different from America. The firestorm and subsequent reactions to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s comments on Shariah law should be seen within the existing tensions and fissures within the Anglican Church exemplified by, but not restricted to, the breakaway of some ultra conservative Anglican clergy and churches over the ordination of a gay bishop.

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The presidential campaign this year, as it did four years ago, has become too focused on the religious beliefs of candidates. While religious beliefs should be respected, they should not become core issues as they have for increasing numbers of Americans, most visible among the supporters of Huckabee and Romney.

I would word our situation today less as secularism becoming a taboo subject and more that religion, in the eyes of candidates and the media, has become an important, high-profile political issue that runs the risk of compromising our secular tradition.

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Leadership style and personality are critical in a post-modern world where image and global communication play an important role.

While many believers may accept a religious leader simply because they hold that office, many others in the rank and file today are influenced by the public image, personality and message (how it is delivered as much as what is said) of their leaders. John Paul II, the Dalai Lama or Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti of Bosnia are a perfect example as are Gordon Hinckley and Archbishop Christodoulos.

Leadership style and personality are even more important in terms of public perceptions of the faith. Thought their styles differed considerably, both Pope John Paul and President Hinckley projected a positive image of their faiths even among those that would have problems with the conservative nature of their doctrinal or social beliefs and policies.

Huckabee's suggestion is untenable. Who will determine God's standards? What are the sources for these standards.?If he is thinking of Christian standards, which Christian denomination or leader will define these standards.

More importantly, the situation is further complicated by the fact that today we are a nation of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs ....!

Most importantly, America's separation of church and state was to assure that no specific religious denomination be given special preference and that both belief and unbelief have equal protection and space.

Romney did a credible job in a difficult situation. While his statement went a long way towards satisfying the concerns of some Christians, his failure to deal more explicitly with his Mormon faith may still not address the concerns of many Americans who, wrongly in my view, see Mormonism as a non-Christian religion or as a religious cult.

Two of his statements were particularly significant. He reminded Americans of a central principle that remains especially important in our multi-religious and irreligious society: "A person should not be elected because of his faith, nor should he be rejected because of his faith." Equally important, he emphasized that Americans should focus on their shared moral values rather than the denominational differences that sometimes divide the country.

However, his more specific comment, that does indeed follow from this principle, might seem to many the calculated product of a presidential candidate in a 2008 race in which so many candidates have felt the need to tell us about their faith commitment: "And in every faith I have come to know, there are features I wish were in my own: I love the profound ceremony of the Catholic Mass, the approachability of God in the prayers of the Evangelicals, the tenderness of spirit among the Pentecostals, the confident independence of the Lutherans, the ancient traditions of the Jews, unchanged through the ages, and the commitment to frequent prayer of the Muslims."

I do not think a candidate's religion should be an issue. We are a secular country in which followers of all faiths and of no faith have rights as well as duties. All citizens should have access to the presidency. However, I would oppose the specific theological orientation of a candidate of any faith who subscribed to a militant or exclusive theology like a Pat Robertson. His militant theological stance has led to his call for domestic as well as foreign policy initiatives which are dangerous or at the very least would compromise the civil liberties of others. Regrettably, I think Mr. McCain's statement is simply that of a desperate candidate.

Why is Islam such a violent religion? Does the Qur'an condone acts of terrorism? Why haven’t Muslims denounced the 9/11 attacks and suicide bombing?

Whether in the media or public discussions, these are common and persistent questions. But, in fact, major Muslim religious leaders and Muslim organizations have and do speak out. The media tends not to find these fatwas and statements newsworthy but they are available on the internet.

Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, for example, Muhammad Abdur-Rashid, the most senior Muslim chaplain in the American Armed forces, asked for a fatwa about whether American Muslim military could participate in the war in Afghanistan and in other Muslim countries. A group of prominent religious authorities concluded that “All Muslims ought to be united against all those who terrorize the innocents, and those who permit the killing of non-combatants without a justifiable reason” and that it was acceptable “to partake in the fighting in the upcoming battles, against whomever their country decides has perpetrated terrorism against them.”

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I still find a "Just War" approach valuable: defensive not offensive, proportional response, respect for-sanctity of civilians/non-combatants.

While war may be necessary, it should be the absolute last resort. The irony with regard to the invasion and occupation of Iraq is that President Bush, who sees himself as a devout Christian, has waged a war that the majority of mainstream religious leaders have not supported and see as a violation of Just War doctrine.

While religions have a transcendent and a dark side, the Just War doctrine is one example of religion's important even critical moral/ethical role which blunts a testosterone approach to settling international disputes.

Yes, I am satisfied, more than satisfied, with where I am in life. Ironically, at the same time, I am increasingly frustrated by the global realities and injustices of the 21st century.

I have been extremely fortunate to have had wonderful parents, a loving family, and a wife who has shared her life, love and advice for some 42 years.

Professionally, as an Italian-American and the member of the first generation in my family to go to college, I have been equally blessed/fortunate.

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While Mormons have entered the mainstream, despite some progress, Mormonism still has not. The recent responses, questions, challenges raised regarding Mitt Romney's candidacy reflect this problem.

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While the atrocities and acts of terrorism committed by violent extremists have connected Islam with terrorism, the Islamic tradition places limits on the use of violence and rejects terrorism, hijackings, and hostage taking. As with other faiths, mainstream and normative doctrines and laws are ignored, distorted, or hijacked and misinterpreted by a radical fringe. Islamic law, drawing on the Quran, sets out clear guidelines for the conduct of war and rejects acts of terrorism.

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The media has improved its coverage in recent years. An increasing number of networks and newspapers have religion reporters or advisers. However, since its main drivers (market share and maximization of profits) are media coverage, it is “predestined” to be unbalanced or biased.

The emphasis on “headline events” often means a predominant focus on the negative, sensational, violent. The “dark side” of religion predominates over coverage of religions more transcendent and transformative aspects. This is reflected across the religious spectrum. Mainstream evangelicals are eclipsed by the preferential coverage given to more militant and strident evangelicals like Pat Robertson who can be counted on for provocative sound bites. Warith Deen Muhammad, leader of the majority of African American Muslims has often been eclipsed by the more combative Louis Farrakhan. Much needed coverage of the pedophilia problems of the Catholic Church were rarely complimented by stories that also show the faith that informs the lives of most Catholics.

Most glaringly in recent years, Islam and Muslims have come to be viewed primarily through the lens of religious extremism and terrorism. Media tend to focus disproportionately on this dangerous and deadly minority who threaten global security and offer minimal coverage of the faith and lives of the mainstream majority of Muslims. Prominent media commentators use Islamophobic (anti-Muslim) language and make outrageous unsubstantiated charges that responsible editors allow regarding Judaism and Christianity. There is a growing propensity in the media in the name of balanced coverage of Islam and Muslims to have a “counter voice” on virtually any story. Especially favored are ex-Muslims, those who publicly repudiate Islam and like some prominent non-Muslim ideologues do not distinguish (as they would when talking about other faiths) between mainstream Islam and religious extremism but rather see the religion of Islam itself as inherently flawed and dangerous.

"Balance" has come to mean that any discussion of Islam and Muslims include someone who is a "militant critic." Yet, we don't expect that every discussion of religion include an atheist, that every discussion of the meaning of Passover or Easter include someone who will deny the historicity or relevance of these beliefs and rituals, that every panel on some aspect of Jewish or Christian faith and belief include "critics" with preference given to those who have rejected the faith and are often not experts as much as "professional critics," that is, make a career of slamming their former faith. While criticism and dissent are important and must be heard, they are not necessary or relevant to every story or report.

Notably absent in the mainstream media is coverage of Islam and Muslims is coverage of the erosion of civil liberties. While stories on global terrorism and domestic threats are important to us all, at the same time how many stories have gone one step further and focused on the thousands of Muslims indiscriminately arrested, detained, monitored and interviewed and not found guilt or released for lack of evidence; the number of Islamic charities shut down but despite the passage of years not successfully prosecuted; the continued detention of Muslims like Prof. Sami al-Arian, whose jury verdict as well as the post-trial agreement forged by Justice Department and Defense attorneys were ignored by the trial judge.

Since 9/11, I am constantly asked (or the charge is made): “Why don’t Muslims in America and globally speak out against religious violence and terrorism?” To which my response is that the absence of such statements is either due to the fact that Muslims do not speak out or that, as is the case, the media too often does not find these stories “newsworthy.” I then refer them to internet sites like Beliefnet and others where these statements may be found.

Inadequate media coverage is compounded by the fact that many, though certainly not all, reporters come to stories with little or no background on religions and the very topics they cover. This was a major reason why after 9/11, I wrote the book, What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam.

Is there more media coverage of religion today than in the past? Yes. Are there reporters and stories that make an important contribution to better understanding? Yes. However, are there serious and substantial problems resulting in a dangerous bias in the coverage provided by many media outlets? Most assuredly, Yes. We still have a long way to go in a world in which in many societies, religion has become a more pronounced presence and factor in personal and public life, in domestic and international politics.

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Women like men have been regarded as saints and sinners in the world's religions. Many have found meaning and guidance, enjoyed rich spiritual lives and reputations for religious scholarship and sanctity. However, unlike men, women have also been the victims of religious traditions delineated in patriarchal societies.

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The just war doctrine has a long established history and plays an important role in international affairs. Many if not most of mainstream religious leaders in the US, as did others like the Pope internationally, cited this doctrine in opposing the invasion of Iraq. Neither the invasion and subsequent conduct of the war nor the recently announced "surge" of military meet the criteria for a just war.
The danger today is that the Bush administration and others would like to shelve the doctrine of just war, claiming that it is dated, not suitable for the realities of the 21st century, in particular in fighting global terrorism. The same logic is used by some to justify curtailing the civil liberties of Muslims, profiling, the rendition and torture of prisoners. This attitude opens up a Pandora's box which undermines or contradicts international law. It reaffirms for critics of America that we operate with a double standard and do not walk the way we talk. On the one hand we invoke international law and treaties when convenient, and on the other we feel free to ignore or exempt ourselves when we wish. Similarly, many charge that America argues for universal human rights and international law when judging other societies, but feels free to put itself above these standards, or waive them when it proves inconvenient.

Pope Benedict's visit to Turkey comes at a critical time in the Papacy's relations with Islam and Muslims. However, it also offers an opportunity for the Pope and Turkey's leaders to reaffirm their commitment to constructive dialogue and strengthening the centuries-long ties between Christianity and Islam in Turkey.

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