Those who still say that American politics and American religion are still two separate issues may be surprised to find the line has become increasingly blurred over time.

Tonight Alexandra Pelosi, daughter of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, will debut her new documentary on the Evangelical church in the United States. Prominently featured in the film is former Evangelical leader Ted Haggard. A review by Paul Fahri of the Washington Post also lists appearances by “skateboarding Christian punk kids and an evangelical pro-wrestling circuit.”

Before Pelosi filmed her documentary, she followed President Bush and made note of how religion played a role in his political views. It is no doubt that the President is a religious man. In his debate with John Kerry in 2004, Bush stated that Jesus was his favorite philosopher. Just as religion has an obvious effect on politics, politics are now influencing religion.

The most prominent place to find the balancing act between beliefs and politics may be the institutions stereotyped as the bastions of contemplation. Recently faith has played a much larger role in the lives of college students across this country.

Recently two faculty members at Southern Methodist University objected to naming a new $200 million facility the “President George W. Bush Library.”

According to an article in the Brown Daily Herald, William McElvanery, professor emeritus of teaching and worship, and Susanne Johnson, associate professor of Christian education, objected to naming the library after a president “who unnecessarily took the country to war.”

The matter of religion being a motivating force behind policy, as in the case of SMU, will always be a gray issue. Some people will always be reluctant to voice where they think the division of religion and state truly lies. I would tend to agree with the viewpoint of Benson Cariyadil, former intern for the Campus Crusade for Christ here at NIU, when he said, “I don’t like to involve religion in politics. You have to stand out for good. Being a part of the community should help it grow.”

However, can growth come about without the influence of politics? And if not, can it occur without any religious motivation?

Consider the case of Elliott Nesch as another example of how religion has motivated people to take political stands. Fortcollinsweekly.com published an article on Nesch and his “mission”. Nesch, now a student in film school, was once a former drug addict, drug dealer and alcoholic. Now he is an activist who found purpose in the evangelical way of life. Inspired by his new beliefs, he is currently planning a trip from Denver to Washington D.C. There, he plans to present a sermon to President Bush along with a petition signed by Christians who are opposed to the President’s policies in Iraq.

It seems almost inevitable that religion and politics will clash, whether it is on the lawn of the White House or just in the minds of individual believers. But we live in a society that preaches tolerance of all denominations of all faiths.

No matter what a person believes in, or what motivates them, everyone must answer to themselves.