PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF RELIGION IS NOT TO BE FEARED

Democratic vice presidential nominee Joseph Lieberman has introduced God and faith into the national discussion in this presidential campaign. For this apostasy, Lieberman has been admonished by Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League. Foxman issued his warning this week.

Simultaneously, Lieberman came under attack from the estimable Joe Esterhaz, a Hollywood screenwriter best known for having penned such anti-family classics as "Basic Instinct" and "Showgirls." Esterhaz took out a full-page ad in Variety magazine, urging his fellow denizens of Hollywood to withhold further support for the Gore-Lieberman ticket.

We say good for Lieberman. Public discussion of the role of religious faith is welcome and not to be feared. We just wish Lieberman's faith had made more of a difference in his votes. Lieberman the Orthodox Jew somehow doesn't share his religion's horror of, and opposition to, that gruesome form of infanticide known as partial-birth abortion, having repeatedly voted with President Clinton on the subject.

But as to a discussion of faith in public life, bring it on. Now if we could just get the national media to give the Rev. Pat Robertson the respect they give to the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the rest of the religious left ... .