Rabbi Adam Chalom, Dean - North America of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism

Is singing the Star Spangled Banner “religious”? Depends on the singer. Regardless, the most natural response to the end of the song is not “amen,” but rather “play ball!”

James Kirk Wall, Author of Agnosticism: The Battle Against Shameless Ignorance

As pointed out in a Tribune story today about the national anthem, Goshen College has announced that it will no longer play The Star-Spangled Banner at sporting events partly because it glorifies war. Apparently they would rather glorify ignorance regarding the harsh realities of the birth of our country and the War of 1812. So what are they going to play, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?

James Kirk Wall, Author of Agnosticism: The Battle Against Shameless Ignorance

We need to have faith that our justice system will provide the proper verdict to the guilty. We need to have faith that jurors will not reasonably consider an accident as cause for a taped and bagged dead body. We need to have faith that when our justice system fails, adjustments will be made to prevent the same failures from happening again in the future.

Sister Anne Flanagan, Daughter of St. Paul and author of Nun Blog

Yes, I did it. I saw the last of Harry Potter this weekend and glad I am, too. [Spoiler alert for those who didn't read the books!] I'm one of those who believes that every truly human story is a Christian story: that the Incarnation means that Christ came to inhabit not simply our "flesh," but all our stories, too.

The Dalai Lama’s message of compassion has long transcended Tibetan Buddhism and enchanted people of all faiths -- or no faith.

It’s an ethos that blends spirituality with humanism and logic, common ground on which most religious traditions tend to agree. Or do they?

Robert Stockman, director, The Wilmette Institute on the Baha'i faith

When the Dalai Lama visits Chicago this weekend, he will be interviewed by a distinguished panel of Jews, Christians, and Muslims about his faith and religion in general. They will ask many questions about the relationship of the religions to important issues of the day, such as tolerance and world peace.

From a Bahá’í perspective, a major issue to consider would be combating religious fanaticism worldwide.

Stephen Asma, author, Why I Am a Buddhist

The Dalai Lama is visiting Chicago in a few days. Our City of Big Shoulders will bow piously and curl into an embarrassing lotus position. Highly educated, wealthy, do-gooders are falling over each other, even now, to secure a close seat (and possibly a brief audience with the Tibetan incarnation of the Buddha). I seem to be the only American Buddhist who doesn’t get watery-eyed and lip-quivery when His Holiness comes around.

Shirley Paulson, Christian Science practitioner

The Dalai Lama's imminent arrival evokes nearly universal admiration. Some claim it is due to his intelligence, humor or compassion, but I see him as a victor of vast warring powers: the power of self-government against oppressive powers of the largest country in the world – China.

Robert Stockman, director, The Wilmette Institute on the Baha'i faith

The beginning of a new presidential campaign season has once again brought to the fore the issue of whether American voters are ready to elect persons outside the white Protestant mainstream to the nation’s highest office.

The first concern for anyone should be whether a candidate is willing to uphold the Constitution and the governmental system it establishes. There is no reason to disqualify anyone on these grounds automatically based on their religion.

The Rev. Robert Barron, priest and theology professor, University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein and author of the blog Word on Fire

One wonders whom the producers of the U.S. Open broadcast were trying to impress or not to offend when they excised the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance. Of course, by not offending, they managed to do violence to the words of the pledge.