Brendan Sweetman is a professor of philosophy at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo., and the author of Why Politics Needs Religion: The Place of Religious Arguments in the Public Square.

Moon Khan is a writer, motivational speaker and contributing columnist of several ethnic newspapers. Khan looks to create respect and political empowerment for all ethnic and immigrant groups. He has ran for and held public office in DuPage County, Ill.

The Rev. Robin Meyers is a United Church of Christ pastor, syndicated columnist and professor of rhetoric at Oklahoma City University. Books he has written include Why the Christian Right Is Wrong: A Minister’s Manifesto for Taking Back Your Faith, Your Flag, Your Future.

Steven M. Tipton is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Sociology of Religion at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. He researches American religion and politics, and the sociology of morality.

Nathan O. Hatch is president of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., and one of the most influential historians of religion in America. His books include, as author, The Democratization of American Christianity. Contact Donna K. Gung.

The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, Calif., is dedicated to researching modern ethical issues and attempting to create solutions in diverse fields such as bioethics, the Internet, government and character ethics.

Stephen Chapman is an associate professor of Old Testament at Duke Divinity School. Previously, he worked as a legislative assistant to a member of Congress. He has examined the use of the Bible and religious language in contemporary society and defends the separation of church and state.

Melissa Snarr is an associate professor of ethics and society and a Christian social ethicist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Her research focuses on political and religious ethics, social change, religion and war and religion and politics.

Jeffrey Stout is professor of religion emeritus at Princeton University in New Jersey. He is the author of Democracy and Tradition.