Arguably, religion’s usefulness is exhausted at times or gets polluted. So, how can nearly 6 billion faith adherents keep religion useful?

Religion News Service asked faith leaders to predict the 2018 religious landscape. Here are two responses: an increase in women’s influence in the wider society as well as in the churches; and speaking truth with love, in an atmosphere of anger and hateful rhetoric.

It’s noteworthy that the responses carry a recognition of interconnectedness between religion, societies, and politics.

History shows that that human institutions influence one another, nationally and internationally. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi are two leaders who deftly wove religious teachings into political actions.

These models of symbiosis remind us to value our institutions and keep them as pure as possible.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8