On Friday, in its editorial "Wise Choice," The Richmond Times-Dispatch opines:

The University of Virginia's Miller Center for Public Affairs recently organized a debate -- sponsored in part by this newspaper -- on the role of religion in civic life. The two sides debated whether there should be any.

Several days later, 60 area religious leaders and scholars sent a letter to Gov. Tim Kaine opposing a coal-fired power plant in Wise. The letter does not come right out and say the plant would be a mortal sin, but it strongly hints in that direction: "Our rich religious traditions tell us that 'the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,' (Psalm 24:1) and call us to live out our moral responsibility to protect the earth for our children and future generations. We also are called to serve and protect the poor and the helpless and to 'love our neighbor as we love ourselves.' (Leviticus 19:18)."

Religion has played a key role in many great causes (e.g., abolition), and some less so (e.g., the nuclear-freeze movement). It forms the basis for much opposition to abortion and gay marriage -- which frequently provokes complaints that fundamentalists are trying to "impose their values" on others.

Kaine, a former missionary, opposes capital punishment for religious reasons (he nevertheless has allowed executions to proceed). He supports the proposed plant in Wise. Is the letter from religious leaders an attempt to inject religion into a realm many liberals say ought to remain entirely secular -- or a shrewd political ploy aimed at exploiting the governor's piety? And would it seem as seemly if the governor were named, say, Mike Huckabee?

The editorial, "Wise Choice," seems to bemoan the fact that religious leaders are involved in the political sphere -- in particular in protesting a new coal-fired power plant in Southwest Virginia. Its says that we are either injecting religion into a realm that should remain secular, or engaged in a "shrewd political ploy."

The truth is that we are merely concerned citizens, expressing the reasons we are concerned. According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, nearly three-fourths of Virginians are affiliated with some religious tradition. Given this, people of faith are necessarily going to be involved in Virginia's political issues.

Our faith does have a role in the public discourse, and, as citizens, we have a right and responsibility to take action on issues we see as harming our commonwealth. Dominion's proposed Wise County power plant would add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and produce approximately 70 pounds of mercury a year, a toxin that -- in teaspoon-sized quantities -- can lead to birth defects and developmental problems in children.

Dominion also would rely primarily on coal obtained through mountaintop removal, a process that heavily pollutes rivers and can lead to flooding and mudslides in Appalachian communities. The effects of this power plant will be felt by all, but especially by poorer Appalachian communities near the power plant.

As people of faith, we feel that environmental destruction and social injustice are grave moral errors. As citizens, we know that we cannot stay silent but must participate in the democratic process. And so we stand with several organizations, many secular and some religious, to oppose the Wise County power plant, and we invite all Virginia's concerned citizens to do the same.

See the press conference organized by Virginia and Washington DC religious leaders, here.