What's Happening to the Religious Right?

Making News

September 11 Suspects Face Murder Charges ()

Six and a half years after September 11, the Pentagon today released the charges it plans to file against Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and five other Guantánamo detainees. Military prosecutors will seek the death penalty against all six. Air Force Brigadier General Thomas Hartman says they'll get the same legal rights as American soldiers accused of crimes and are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Josh Meyer reports on terrorism for the Los Angeles Times.

Guests:

• Josh Meyer: Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times

Links:

• Military Commission Act
• ACLU on government's intention to seek death penalty for detainees
• Meyer's article on waterboarding

Main Topic

A Political Transformation on the Religious Right? ()

Evangelical Christians are broadening their horizons. In addition to abortion and same-sex marriage, they're now focused on poverty and the environment. Polls show large numbers of white evangelicals voting in Democratic primaries, while traditional church leaders are trying to keep them in the Republican fold. Is there a "great awakening" that could have an impact on this year's presidential election? We'll hear a dialogue between a "the new generation" of evangelicals and veterans of the religious right.

Guests:

• Joel Hunter: Senior Pastor, Northland
• Richard Land: President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention
• Jim Wallis: Editor, Sojourners
• Laura Olson: Professor of Political Science, Clemson University

Links:

• Americans United for Separation of Church and State
• Presidential Forum on Faith Values Poverty
• Wallis' 'The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith & Politics in a Post-Religious Right America'
• Olson's 'Religion and Politics in America: Faith, Culture, and Strategic Choices'
• Nicholas Kristof's New York Times article on liberals, evangelicals
• Arthur Brooks' 'Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth about Compassionate Conservatism'
• David Kuo's 'Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction'
• Hunter's 'A New Kind of Conservative'
• Land's 'The Divided States of America: What Liberals AND Conservatives Are Missing in the God-and-Country Shouting Match'

Reporter's Notebook

Potomac Primary Primer ()

This year's tight contests for party nominations have focused attention on states that have never mattered much in presidential elections. Barack Obama swept to four victories in this weekend's primaries and caucuses. Mike Huckabee beat John McCain in Kansas and Louisiana and got close enough in Washington to challenge the outcome.  In tomorrow's so-called "Potomac Primaries" in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, the focus is mostly on the Democrats.  Anne Kornblut reports for the Washington Post.

Guests:

• Anne Kornblut: Reporter, New York Times