Coun Dan Wicksteed:

I dread even the possibility of one complex issue, like abortion, coming to dominate a whole election due to pressure from religious groups.

Hopefully, that will not happen in Britain because the range of decisions to be considered in a General Election will be properly acknowledged by leading churches.

Religion and politics both form groups of people because they have shared values and beliefs. In religion, those groups form churches and faiths. In politics they form political parties. However, their essential purposes differ.

The heart of politics is taking action. Politicians get a bad reputation as they try to convert people to their way of thinking, but the essential point is trying to improve the world in practical ways. Passing laws, for example.

Religions also act but is that the heart of what they do? Many faiths would value their power to console, to cherish and just be alongside people as we all go through the dilemmas of life.

While they also try to make the world a better place, I think consolation and reflection, generally prayer, is also a key purpose.

Another key difference is that politics impacts on everyone whatever their beliefs. A new law affects everyone. Religions, however, cannot dictate the behaviour of everyone.

So should religion be involved in politics and law-making ? Religious people should be involved, of course, and they should bring their values to the party (forgive the pun).

But in my view, particular churches should not become political parties, nor exclusively attach themselves to one party. The two key reasons reflect each other. A faith should be able to speak to and console a person of any political party and a political party should be accessible to people of all religions.

Dean of Worcester Peter Marshall:

Keep in mind the basic fact about religion and politics - both are about ourselves and about how we live.

Each of us is an individual and, at the same time, a member of several different groups - some of which we have had no choice about, i.e. our family, others we have chosen for ourselves. There are some less defined groups that are a mixture of both chosen and given, such as our neighbours.

There are many differences in these groupings and their sizes range from the small family through to the whole human race, part of the planet's living environment and a minute dot in the universe.

What we believe, how we want to live, how we arrange things, how we use power and how we control power and what rules we make - all these are the stuff of both religion and politics.

The question: "Who are the 'we' and who are the 'them'?" will always remain with us.

The danger is that, in both religion and politics, identity is used to exclude people rather than identify how people are related and, being part of each, they can work together for a common life.

Both religion and politics make claims on our hearts and minds but there is one major distinction between them. Our political beliefs grow out of and depend on our religious beliefs. Our religious beliefs, although influenced by our cultures, do not depend on our politics. It would be wrong to think that the political mind can direct human endeavour and provide both the means (ways) and the end (purpose) of human life and the planet.

We know that there are good and bad religions as there are good and bad politics.

There are many serious aspects of our 21st Century that demand intense and careful consideration by us all.

These are not dealt with by making a religious stance a political position, nor making a religion political. That would be confusing.

Religion and politics should enable both people and the earth on which life depends, to flourish.

Each can and should inform the other, though the temporal nature of the political life will be taken up into the eternal of religion. As an example to ponder, the manifesto of love in politics is markedly distinct from that of love in religion.

But each needs to reflect the other helpfully and partnership in the service of all people and their environment.

What do you think? Tell us your views by writing to: letters@thisisworcester.co.uk or Letters, Worcester News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX.