When George W. Bush was asked in 2000 how his personal faith affected his notion of what it means to be a compassionate conservative, he answered that a genuine philosophy reflects the experiences of a person.

Eight years later, with another general election closing in, the topic of politics, religion and what they mean to the Christian voter will be placed back on the table when Jan Love, dean of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., discusses “Religion and Politics: Seeking Clarity Amid Confusion.”

“Religion has inspired remarkable, loving, and grace-filled human endeavors across the country and the world,” Love said Friday. “Religion has also motivated or accompanied some of the worst of human behavior.

“How do we ensure that our deep passion and strong attachment to religion results in love, grace and mercy for others, rather than devastation and heartache?”

Marianne Niesen, pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, said Love’s discussion falls in line with St. Paul’s 2008 lecture series, “Patriotism for the Progressive Christian.”

“It’s to teach us how we can disagree and talk about hard issues,” Niesen said. “How we can make decisions about our elected officials in a fair stance. The rhetoric of our political campaigns is often divisive and hurtful. I think we can do better.”

A panel of politicians and public servants will take part in the discussion, including Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger, state Sens. Christine Kaufmann and Dave Lewis, and Justice Jim Nelson.

When discussing the upcoming event, Niesen spoke of Jesus and three principal issues, including economic justice, war and peace, and the environment. People of faith, she noted, should consider such Christian values when forming political opinions.

It’s something the series seeks to explore from a faith-based perspective. It’s not, Niesen said, intended to tell parishioners how to vote or what stance to take on today’s controversial issues. That, she said, is up to the individual voter, not the church or its pastor.

“What you’ve seen in the news is pastors telling people how to vote and what to vote for,” she said. “I’m actually very troubled that any pastor would direct people on how to vote. I think it’s irresponsible and very dangerous.”

With the political season in full swing, Kaufmann, a Helena Democrat and panel member, called the discussion’s timing appropriate.

Lessons of tolerance, openness, acceptance and equality are Christian teachings that, she said, often overlap with Democratic values.

“I believe the values we hold are values we bring with us to public office,” Kaufmann said. “For many people, those values come from the religious base. We should not discount those values in how we legislate and make decisions.”

However, Kaufmann added, there’s a fine line between taking one’s values to public office and pushing those values upon the voting public once in office.

Religious leaders, she said, have a responsibility to know the difference, even as they challenge parishioners to understand the issues and judge the candidates using a faith-based approach.

“How do you separate out values from your religion, if you’re a religious person?” Kaufmann asked. “I think that’s a difficult task to do.

“But I don’t think it’s appropriate to push a particular religion or denomination, or hold that out publicly as some sort of measure on how the voters ought to respond to you.”

The lecture series runs from Oct. 17 through Oct. 19 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. For more information, call 443-4218.

Lecture series schedule

Friday

6:00 p.m. — Silent Auction

7:00-9:00 p.m. — Lecture: “Religion & Politics: Seeking Clarity Amid Confusion.”

9:00 p.m. — Montana Logging and Ballet Company

Saturday

8:00 a.m. Doors Open

9:00 a.m. Lecture: “Faith, Hope & Love: Christians and Conflict.”

10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Panel Discussion featuring Lt. Governor John Bohlinger, Sen. Christine Kaufmann, Justice Jim Nelson, and Sen. Dave Lewis.

Reporter Martin Kidston: 447-4086 or mkidston@helenair.com