Expressing or Legislating Religion

Speaking publicly about one's faith and legislating accordingly are two different things. Presidents should not be demonized when they make statements of faith. Faith and their approach to it helps make these leaders who they are, after all. We know their foundational leanings on spiritual matters is present anyway, so better to not shy from how those personal holdings influence their public face. Proclamations of faith and even out loud, public reasoning about how faith has influenced their thinking and decision-making on various issues is something we should not be against even when we disagree with the particular faith persuasion and/or the way it has manifested itself in a decision. I think Wallis and others are right on this - faith is personal, but never private.

However, when this crosses over to legislating things like days of prayer, Presidents and other public officials are are out of bounds. There is too much room for abuse and exclusion. Look at what has happened with, for example, The National Prayer Breakfast. Though members of Congress help to organize it, it is not an official day of prayer. It is widely known to be an evangelistic vehicle for the Fellowship. The group and the event have been written about widely in recent years (mostly by Jeff Sharlet). Sadly, these folks who talk about ministry as meeting and connecting have an agenda that is one-sided theologically and, of course, politically. Things like this should remain private though not restrictive when it comes to Presidents and leaders participation.

By Mark Tauber  |  November 18, 2008; 3:07 PM ET
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