Questions about John Roberts' Faith Merit Answers: Politically Active Christians Have Forced the Issue of Religion to the Forefront

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By the time this week's column appears, its topic may very well have passed its expiration date. Events have moved rapidly. Judge John Roberts has been nominated to succeed the late William Rehnquist as chief justice of the United States Supreme Court. The Senate Judiciary Committee may have already sent the nomination to the full Senate with a positive recommendation. In all likelihood, Judge Roberts will be confirmed by a substantial bipartisan vote.

There is an issue, however, that will continue to be of interest and concern, especially if the next nominee to fill Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's seat on the court also has strong religious commitments. The nominee may be a Roman Catholic, as is Judge Roberts, or an evangelical …