COLUMBUS - Jim Wallis and Russell Johnson have much in common. Both are evangelical ministers who care deeply about politics in America. Both want to see God at the country's moral center.

But a two-hour, town-hall style dialogue on faith in politics Sunday featured heated exchanges between the ministers on topics including abortion, torture and the war in Iraq, according to Jack Pannell, a spokesman for the Christian social justice ministry Sojourners, which Wallis founded.

Wallis said before the event he wanted the public forum to expand Ohio's “conversation on moral values” beyond hot-button issues such as abortion and gay marriage. He sees poverty, health care and the environment as more pressing.

Johnson, chairman of the politically active Ohio Restoration Project, hoped the public dialogue could clear up misconceptions — and what he sees as outright distortions — about the religious right that he says are contributing to political gridlock at the national level.

For the record, Wallis supports minimizing abortions but stops short of labeling himself pro-life or pro-choice. He says he is pro-family and supportive of gay and lesbian rights.

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