Soledad O'Brien, who I usually disdain in the way I disdain Paula Zahn, “moderated” a useful forum on Faith & Politics. The forum was useful inasmuch as it gave air time and a push to those to whom faith is “not worn on the sleeve” and whose faith is “measured by deeds, not by words.”

The moderation was not so useful as the time and the forum. While we can thank Jim Wallis and CNN for those gems, we can rue Soledad O’Brien for encroaching on proper restraint by broaching improper subjects. She actually asked John Edwards to name his worst sin. To me, in the words of the fine Jim Wallis, Soledad must be that part of the left that just doesn’t get it, rather than those on the right who get it wrong. I was totally offended that she even asked the question.

While john Edwards was comfortably talkative about his journey, the silver lining in this forum was a question that led to Hillary Clinton’s thoughtful “common ground” abortion response. If only we could work together to make them rare on the existing common ground.

Thank you CNN. Thank you Jim Wallis.

Paula Zahn cannot be trusted. That Paula Zahn could point her proverbial finger in this way at these presidential candidates at this time on this issue is unseemly, unrestrained, biased in support of a religion and persuasive to those who realize that when religion and politics mix both loose. Where there is abortion there is the death penalty - hypocrisy and communion. Where there may be laws against civil marriage there is also poverty and moral budgets.

If CNN wishes, as I hope, to help unite Americans by reverting to America’s prime movers of religious freedom and separation of church and state, then they will hand-off these proper topics to moderators instead of one religioners. As Chris Dodd from my home state told Zahn, personal beliefs may inform one’s politics, but politicians must serve Americans whether they believe in one G-d, no G-d, animal sacrifice or limousines. Remember, politicians swear to their G-d to uphold the Constitution.

Note to CNN staff, please read to Zahn the First Amendment and a paper on its meaning.

Great round up Alex. Thanks for the mention as well.

I really do think this is quite the beginning of progressive faith movement being seen within the media. It was historic and I would love to see more of it.

I agree with Aaron that this is an important step in getting the progressive faith community visibility within the media, but I think the distinct difference in the questions coming from the CNN moderator and those from the faith leader panelists shows the space that's left to cover. The panelists (with one exception) delved into hefty specifics on the issues that are the real moral priorities of the American people. The mainstream media rep on the other hand spent the vast majority of her time on personal piety and culture war questions.

I agree that this was an important step up in media visibility, but I think the tone of the questions from CNN's moderator Soledad shows that there's still much work to do. The faith panelists asked questions dealing with serious policy issues that address the most pressing moral issues in America. The CNN figure asked about personal piety and the culture wars. It was definitely a major success. The next step is to get her asking the same questions that the faith leaders did!

I heard one astute audience member ask on the way out: Will Giuliani also be asked about infidelity, as Clinton was? Not sure it's an appropriate question for anyone in a presidential debate, but it raises the question about whether candidates from each party and gender will be treated the same...

I agree -- it was great to hear these candidates, and the five who followed on Paula Zahn's show, have the time to talk about their moral viewpoints -- and I am all for anything that challenges the idea that only people on the right or in the Republican party can speak on faith issues.

But, surely I'm not the only person uncomfortable that secular CNN devoted two full hours asking people the most intimate questions about their faith practices as a way to inform us about their potential policies as President? I have no doubt in George Bush's sincerity that he consults God about his decisions and that Jesus is his favorite philosopher -- but surely that doesn't make his actions and decisions moral. More on my blog.

Rev. Debra Haffner

That's a great point Katie.

Rev. Deb, part of it may be a cultural thing, while some find the adultery/death talk on the public stage uninformative at best, for a large swath of our country, that's their theology. And it is the Church's job to change the parameters for serious faith conversations, not politicians who by democracy's design reflect the majority most of the time.

In addition, people crave the personal (see celeb culture) and right now politics feeds on the confluence of religion and individualism -- which is also the Church's job -- in part -- to change.

Were they pandering and simplifying? Yes, but that's not "secular CNN's" fault. The constitution separates church and state, not church and media. As David pointed out, one way to rectify the problems is by creating more forums with serious questions from diverse faith leaders. Rather than O'Brien, perhaps you should be asking about marriage equality!?

I discern godlessness in you, sir.
Your comments sadden me. Use your intellect aright, in the cause of beauty, truth and goodness. You may taste true joy. God is merciful.
Joan , a senior