Dear FRONTLINE,

Belief always affects action. For ages, religious liberals have spoken and acted in the political arena according to their beliefs and values. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of faith who acted on his beliefs, and sought to promote public policies consistent with his beliefs. This did not violate church-state separation.

The fact that President Bush openly admits the religious source of his values is not what bothers his opponents. Criticize the substance of his views, if you will, but it is unfair ad hominem to criticise the religious "source" of his views. Both Bush and his critics are acting on their deeply held beliefs.

The need for vigorous debate about the substance and merits of these public policy positions is the reason why our founders gave us the First Amendment. When religious conservatives and religious liberals vigorously engage in political debate, along with non-religious citizens, the freedoms of religion, speech and press work together to help voters make informed decisions. May You-Know-Who continue to bless America with the freedom to exercise these First Freedoms!

Michael Whitehead
Kansas City, Missouri

Dear FRONTLINE,

I was disappointed that you did not look at the scariest aspect of George W. Bush's association with Evangelical Christians. The doctrine of Evangelical Christians concerning Israel occupying all the Palestinian area in order for the Biblical end of time to occur and our policy to fund Israel in its annexing neighboring land is very troubling. Everyone should be very interested in to what extent our leaders who have their hands on the nuclear button believe in hastening the end of time. Religious Extremists are not limited to Muslims.

Ray Barrier
Rileyville, VA

Dear FRONTLINE,

I accept that the idea that a human, especially an educated and socially responsible human is destined to form a set of ethical values, whether this is organized by a systematic faith, religion, or some other means, and that these beleifs will structure the decision making tendencies of that person when he or she rises to the challenges of poltical life.

Therefore the balance between secular and ethical ideals is fragile one, and in my observation legitimate discomfort occurs when faith becomes the logic of political justification ("God is on our side'), or the when the emotional momentum of faith based organizations are manipulated for for the purpose of political preservation (e.g. recent efforts to provide government financing of faith based social programs)

In my opinion the man who claims too often that "God is on his side," ought to be reminded to ask himself if he is on God's side.

Andrew Schachman

Dear FRONTLINE,

I believe that our President is very courageous. Today with the wide spread accepted Christian Bashing, he is honest and straight forward about his beliefs. It a breath of fresh air when a man puts God ahead of personal gain. A man with this kind of conviction is a true leader. A man who humbles himself to his God and is quided by his beliefs is a true leader. He doesn't swade by the popular votes based on polls. He tells it like it is and does what he says. Many can not believe in this man's honesty because of what we've had in the recent past in the white house. How can you blame them since we were continously told that "Every body does it so why not the President". This demoralization of a nation was the moral standard set by the previous administration so when a man comes along and finally tells the truth he is called a liar and is continosly persecuted. What is wrong with this picture?

Lucia D'Ambrosio
Nanuet, NY

Dear FRONTLINE,

While I respect George W. Bush's right to his personal religious faith and do not doubt his initial sincerity, I feel that he has convinced himself that he has special call from God which is leading the U.S. deeper and deeper into a spiral of violence, death and destruction. As a Catholic Christian and a member of an international group of women religios (nuns) for nearly 50 years I fail to understand how this is compatible with the Jesus of the Gospels! How does capital punishment, preemptive war, dead and injured American military, Iraqi soldiers and civilians, to say nothing of the demise of environmental responsibility, fairness of taxation, international relations, etc. fit into the Gospel ethic?

I agree with the comment on the program about "seeing the speck in my brother's eye and ignoring the log in my own". Islamic fundamentalism is evil and Christian fundamentalism is good????? What is off in that reasoning?

Mary Lou Henderson
Villa Park, IL

Dear FRONTLINE,

I'm not an Evangelical; I'm a Catholic. If George Bush represents the picture of the ideal Evangelcist, I never want to be one. His leadership has been the cause of so much pain and suffering in this world. I can't believe how people talk so much about Jesus, yet their life seems centered around a few narrow topics such as making abortion and gay rights illegal. With a fraction of the money we spend on war, we could end all hunger in the world. We could find a cure for AIDS, and other deadly diseases. We could do the deeds of Jesus Christ, rather than preach the word while we kill people, destroy the environment, and inflict suffering on so many children.

Joseph Benson

Dear FRONTLINE,

The PBS program "The Jesus Factor" was presented quietly but spoke loudly. This president is frightening in his fervor and ridged in his black and white sense of good and evil. This is not real life - there's no room for moderation in Mr. Bush's administration. Four more years of his policies will be a disaster for this country.

Patricia Rothschild
La Grange, IL

Dear FRONTLINE,

I have always felt that George Bush was the right man for the country after the Clinton years. I also felt that God had a hand in appointing him. The close election was proof of it. I believe his strong faith has won him favor with our creator. His faith is real, and evangelicals, like myself, can indentify with him on all levels and all issues. May he be given another four years. God Bless him.

Barbara Hesch
Brentwood, NY

Dear FRONTLINE,

I truly believe that faith is a basic foundation of life. I am Catholic, My wife and daughter are Jewish. I respect the fact our President has found his strength in religion. I think more people should in their own religion whatever it is. Believing in One higher than ourselves is of great comfort and a source of strength. I do believe however it is a mistake to make any one religious belief a platform for public office, especially the highest office, which represents all americans and is viewed by the world. I believe the first amendment was a well conceived concept. I voted for Bush but wished he would generalize his statements to faith whatever is chosen. God has no chosen people; not Jewish, Catholic or any other religion. He has his children, good and bad, period. To have our President demonstate anything other can only do us more harm than good domestically and internationally. Great show, Thank you.

Ken Thorpe

Dear FRONTLINE,

So many Presidents claim to be Christians. It's about time that one of them actually acts like one in public office. By that I mean Christianity is about Christ, so why say you are Christian and then don't include Him in your job.
That's all that GWB is doing. He's not just saying he is Christian. He is acting on it.

Dave Jones
NY, NY

Dear FRONTLINE,

Frontline has opened an issue that has concerned me for some time. It has seemed to me that the idea of faith, which is a part of the lives of many people, is the elephant in the living room, so to speak. While America was founded upon freedom of religion, no one can deny that the religion tht produced such a generous, lively, GOOD country, one that freely gives to other countries even when we are spat upon, was Christianity. To think or say otherwise is to ignore the elephant. Thus, it resonates with Christians when we are finally recognized for what we believe and allowed to speak. You don't find any Atheist Hospital in any city, but you will find Baptist, Methodist, St. Francis, and St. Joseph Hospitals. Christians beliefs have built this country strong, with the fervent belief that you take care of your own children, help your neighbor, see yourself as accountable to God and show humility and forgiveness. At least that is the goal. Unfortunately, America hates a hypocrite, and it's impossible to be perfect, so Christians seem hypocritical when we fail, while those who do not profess to aspire to godliness are not judged by the same standard. I, for one, vote for Bush because he risks this judgement upon himself in reaching for the goals of godliness. Thank you for presenting him as this kind of man; you might also show that he is just a man, not a saint.

Norma Powell
Memphis, TN

Dear FRONTLINE,

The Jesus Factor is a frightening awakening. I'm amazed that there are so many people that wrap themselves in religion and refuse to approach problems intellectually. They must feel very fragile in our society and have the need to resort to superstition to make themselves comfortable. I am reminded of the battle in the middle ages when the Catholic Church fought the revelation that the earth was not the center of the world. The refusal to accept scientific advances such as stem cell research is a return to that frightened thinking. I sincerely hope that enough people come out to vote in November to remove this man from such a powerful position.

Jim Sieks

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am wondering where the women were in the Midland Bible study class. What does Bush's faith lead him to believe as to women's role in public life? Does he hold with many conservative Christian groups that women should play a secondary and/or supportive role? Clearly this question has implications for the abortion debate, but it also informs how every government program is implemented.

Bradley Lewis

Dear FRONTLINE,

This program seems to make the use of personal beliefs to make decisions in a leadership position wrong. Since when is this wrong? The history of this country is full of men who made moral decisions based on faith. Ever heard of Abraham Lincoln? His moral agenda pushed this country away from the sin of slavery. I do not hear anyone complaining about this. It seems that when liberals do not like the decision of a conservative president, the faith of that president is to blame. Perhaps the real problem is the lack of morals in our country today. People want to do what they want to do, right or wrong as it may be.

I am thankful for a president who believes in something and stands strong on those believes. It is better than having a president who determines his stand based on what those immediately around him are believing at the time.

S King