Year in and year out, campaign or no campaign, clergymen, rabbis and faith leaders in Washington serve as part adviser, friend, counselor or ear to legislators and other political figures, the Associated Press writes. At times, some even play a behind-the-scenes role in influencing public policy and help legislators sort out conflicts between their faith and policy views.
For the most part, these conversations play out in private. And that’s one reason why politicians feel comfortable confiding in religious leaders.