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Certainly religion and morality have a role to play in shaping public opinion on public policies. However, since government should never be a vehicle for establishing the sectarian views of any religion, government is best strengthened when religions focus their support on the core values of democracy-those values that advance the public good not the legislative agenda of a particular religion, those values that represent secular expressions of common religious convictions.

2008 corresponds to 5768 in the Jewish calendar, a shmittah year (sabbatical year) and a leap year (Adar Bet, or Adar Sheni). The coincidence of these two special "re-setting" years with one of the biggest elections in recent history provides the Jewish community with a unique opportunity to recalibrate our thinking. The verb recalibrate is defined as:"To check, adjust, or determine by comparison with a standard." In 2008, we have a chance to check and adjust the state of our country's politics and policies against the standard of our Jewish values.

I just ran into this trailer - looks like it is going to be a pretty interesting movie. I'm hoping it comes to a theater near me. Has anyone else heard about it? Had a chance to see it?

With Iowa and New Hampshire completing their traditional rite to hold the first primary and caucus in the country, the nation now waits with baited breath for the 5th of February to roll around. Super Duper Tuesday, as it has been dubbed by mass-media, will be an opportunity for more than 20 states to all hold their elections on the same day. This historically unprecedented election day holds the interest of many Americans as the gaps between candidates will inevitable widen towards identifying who will receive their party's nomination.

Am I an "Evangelical Christian"? No, emphatically no. Am I an evangelical Christian? Yes, emphatically yes.

I became an evangelical Christian on Nov. 29, 1931, six weeks after I was born. My parents were farmers on the prairie of south central Minnesota.

Like Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Orthodox, Methodist and many other believers, my Lutheran parents made certain I was baptized. They believed "evangelical" meant that God takes the initiative when we become a Christian, even as an infant. First, foremost, and primarily, God makes the first move.

The role of religion in public life is a pivotal and contested question this election year. Republican and Democratic candidates alike have drawn on Biblical language and highlighted the importance of faith to articulate their personal and political values. As believers, we will always stand up for religious expression and the importance of religion for America, but we are troubled by some current trends in political campaigns.

Religion forms virtues vital to democratic citizenship.