Missing from the vocabulary of tonight's presidential debate on foreign relations and the economy were such small terms as God, religion, and faith - there wasn't even a God Bless America.
I co-direct the Program on Religion, Diplomacy, and International Relations at the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination at
Of course there is only so much time in a debate. However, it is imperative that the next president show at least a working understanding of how religion influences global politics and an ability and willingness to engage the leaders and practitioners of the world's faith traditions in finding solutions for the challenges that face us. It wouldn't have hurt either of the candidates to have acknowledged the powerful role of religion perhaps score points by a quick mention of the important relief work done by the Christian based group World Vision or the American Jewish World Service.
There was a particular religious phrase that I was surprised not to hear during tonight's debate - Radical Islam. While Senator Obama does not usually use this term, the Republican Party and John McCain have heartily adopted it as a substitute word for Al Qaeda. I was sure that McCain would bring it out tonight as a base pleaser for his party - he did not. The absence of the term Radical Islam was surprising and welcome. It is right to oppose religious fundamentalism and its political complement in all its forms. Yet I think the term radical Islam tends to focus too much attention on the religion of Islam and, unfortunately colors peaceful and moderate practitioners of that faith with a brush intended for people with a violent political ideology hiding behind religion.
The religious term that was used, and that I question, was Holocaust when describing the nuclear threat to
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I don't think it was wrong for McCain to say Holocaut as that is exactly what will happen if Iran gets the bomb. It IS THAT SERIOUS!!
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