Questions to ask candidates

I have to admit: from the perspective of living in Austria, it seems awfully silly that there are already candidate debates going on for the 2008 election. But ok, there are, and a strong primary season (if it stays positive, which is unlikely) could be a good thing. In any case, thanks to Melissa Rogers for the link to Peter Steinfels’ excellent set of questions on the intersection of faith and politics to ask candidates:

• What does the Bible or any other religious source tell you about fighting poverty — and what doesn’t it tell you? Likewise for writing tax legislation or extending health care.
• Does your faith dictate any absolute principles, ones you would never compromise, for using military force? For interrogating prisoners? For making peace in the Middle East? For legal provision of abortion? For recognizing gay marriage?
• What is your reaction to the claim that religion is “a conversation stopper” that should be kept out of political debates because it appeals to emotionally powerful convictions beyond rational examination?
• Do you agree with the large proportion of voters — perhaps half or more — who say they wouldn’t vote for an atheist for president, even one generally qualified for the office?
• What do you say to those who fear that even conversations like this one constitute a religious test for the presidency?

Of course, I wonder if any of us who are so blithely thinking that we're preparing leaders for churches could answer these questions well? I think I'm going to work on having my students think about these questions, and then, think about how to help congregational members do so.