CHICAGO — The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has written an open letter to President George W. Bush and U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry, calling on both to change the tone and content of their campaigns.

According to the ELCA News Service, Hanson challenged both nominees to answer questions on social concerns such as HIV/AIDS, the environment, the growing gap between wealthy and impoverished people, affordable housing, health care, wages and education. The candidates will debate Thurs., Sept. 30, 9 p.m. (EST). The debate will be broadcast by most major networks.

Hanson acknowledged that terrorism is an important concern, and terror must be rejected. However, he pleaded with Bush and Kerry that they not "reduce all of the cries of suffering humanity to this single issue."

"We know the reality of fear," Hanson wrote in his letter. "Please do not appeal to our fears. As people of faith, we claim the biblical promise, 'Do not be afraid.' We need a vision of our shared future with all of God's creation."

Hanson asked both candidates to "stop looking back 30 years and challenging each other's military service. We need you to provide us with a vision for the next 30 years."

He challenged both campaigns to "help us see what responsibilities and possibilities come with the privilege of freedom and the abundance of prosperity."

This is not the time for the United States to withdraw from the world or seek to "dominate the world with our economic and military power," Hanson said.

"We need to hear what it means for our nation to be stewards of that power for the sake of peace and the well-being of all God's children," he said. "It is time to stand with all who suffer in the world, all who live daily with the reality of violence, and it is time to work together so that all might have daily bread and experience justice, mercy and peace."

Hanson concluded his letter by saying he would continue to pray for Bush, Kerry and their families as they continued their campaigns.

Hanson leads the 5 million-member ELCA, based here, and is president of the 65-million member Lutheran World Federation, based in Geneva, Switzerland.