About 30 people gathered in Pollock Commons rec room last night to discuss the roles of Christians in Tuesday's presidential election.

The panel discussion, "Christian Perspectives on Politics," was held by Christian Justice Mission, an extension of the United Campus Ministry and Christians in Action, and consisted of a six-person panel and a question and answer session.

Becky McNutt, co-organizer of the event and campus minister of Christians in Action, said the purpose of the panel discussion was to explore different Christian viewpoints and how they relate to the modern culture, particularly politics. "Not all Christians agree on how their faith relates to those issues," McNutt said.

During the question and answer session, the panel discussed the roles of Christians in the government.

Alicia Anderson, Lutheran campus minister and panelist, said Christians live in a predominately secular country where people of different faiths bring their values into the government. She added it is important for Christians to acknowledge other viewpoints, yet not apologize for their beliefs.

The Rev. Bruce Martin, co-organizer of the event, minister of United Campus Ministry and a panelist, said he does not support the current administration or either presidential candidate. He said his call to Christ is to be extremely critical of the world he lives in, and he said the government and the president should be held up to the "scrutiny of the kingdom of God."

Justin Zook (junior-economics), one of the panelists, said he felt that today's society satisfies the laws of God, since the society's goals are just. "I think God likes to see fairness," Zook said, adding as a Christian, it is important to be involved in the political process to make changes.

The panel also discussed the conflicting Christian values of the presidential candidates and how those differences will affect their vote in Tuesday's presidential election.

"I can't speak about another person's faith. That's their relationship with God and themselves," Earl Holt (senior-political science), one of the panelist said.

Instead, one must pray and mediate on who will "closely follow the sanctions of God," Holt said.

The panel discussion also addressed current political issues, such as stem-cell research, the war on terror, the death penalty, tax cuts, gay marriage and the No Child Left Behind Act.

Matthew Holden (sophomore-economics and crime, law and justice), member of Christians in Action, said he attended the panel discussion to hear how people apply their faith to politics. He said it's important for one to apply their faith in what they believe in and to keep religion, faith and morals in politics. "You can't leave your morals or faith behind when it comes to politics," he said. "I feel you need something to base your morals on."

Holden said he admires Bush for how he uses his faith to lead the country.

"Regardless or not if I agree with his decisions, I admire the fact of the way he comes to the decisions based on his faith," Holden said.