Modern democratic politics is in danger of turning into a beauty contest and an electoral pantomime, says Simon Barrow. It needs reconnecting with people in civil society, changing institutions and the grassroots.

As medical science continues to explore the wonder of the human body, we must ensure that our theological thinking keeps pace, says Kevin Boyd. Fleshly existence is deeply bound up with religious formation, not least in incarnational Christianity.

Those hoping that when George W. Bush departs the Oval Office, religion will accompany him are likely to be disappointed, says Jonathan Bartley, if a book by the former Guardian religious affairs correspondent is right.

Gordon Brown will be less overt in his faith agenda and less establishment in his church instincts, suggests Simon Barrow. But religion and public life will remain hot political issues.

A homegrown Philippines evangelical church is causing a stir by standing and winning in elections, raising issues about what kind of role religion should and should not play in politics in South East Asia and elsewhere.

Three major Christian denominations have produced an election briefing which urges Christians to vote for the common good and against those promoting racism and xenophobia.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has expressed concern about the ‚Äúrecrimination and bitterness‚Äù that may accompany a formal split in the 77 million worldwide Anglican Communion ‚Ä' though he admits that ‚Äúit's not the worst thing in the world‚Äù.