With less than two months till the election, no segment of religious voters is completely sewn up, and a lot of the public dialogue is about culture war vs broadening agenda.chatter. However, we'd also do well to consider some gut-level feelings faithful voters have about the political process.

The current issue of Relevant Magazine devotes its cover to the political ponderings of young evangelicals. Not wanting to repeat the mistakes of their (metaphorical and literal) fathers, they're trying to engage politics in a way that transcends the narrow partisanship of the Religious Right era. For many, their efforts are leading to a crisis of faith and civics that offers many questions and few models for success.

Writer Adam Smith acknowledges the problem's deep roots:

"It’s not just the candidates that can give Christians pause. Indeed, the entire political process has become so polarized and vitriolic that some have begun to question its very foundation."

(Note: This disillusionment is just as true of the public at large.)

In interviews with leading evangelicals, Smith explores different options: engaging politics in an unconventional way that makes room for activism but may or may not lead to voting (Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw); or being a multi-issue voter, refusing to be completely defined by one party or the other (Tony Campolo:

“My contention is that if anybody asks if you’re a Democrat or a Republican, the answer should be, ‘Please name the issue,’” he says. “On certain issues, I’m going to come across as someone who likes what the Republicans say, and on other issues I will come across as saying what the Democrats say.”

Ultimately, Adam suggests that young evangelicals are looking to take a principled approach to politics that eschews partisan lever-pulling. One that requires candidates to speak truthfully, thoughtfully and offer conviction rather than character asassination. Given the recent tone of the campaign, turnout will be something to watch closely.