Religious leaders say religious discussion has a place in elections

Some of Iowa’s religious leaders are praising this year’s presidential and vice presidential candidates for talking about their faith. Democrat Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman has been criticized by the Anti-Defamation League for discussing his Jewish faith in campaign speeches. Rabbi Steve Mills of Des Moines has no problem with a politician who talks about his faith. Mills says the expression of faith gives a clue into their identity.Mills says there is a fine line, however. He says the difficulty arises if you say there is only one way to view faith.Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush has talked about his “born again” experience, and in December, Bush called Jesus Christ his “favorite political philosopher.” Iowa’s Interfaith Alliance chair Reverend Rex Piercy says the candidates are making it clear that while they are people with deeply held religious beliefs, they respect other faiths.Iowa Sikh Association president Jagtar Singh says his faith teaches that without an appropriate spiritual foundation, a person cannot become a good administrator or ruler. The Sikh religion was founded in India five centuries ago.