Jordan and the state's 12 United Methodist district superintendents said the ads "promote racist and fearful attitudes toward immigrants to this country and this state."

Hougen called the ads disturbing. "Our lives are enriched by these immigrants and what they have to share with us," he said. "The Bible compels us to welcome the stranger and to treat all people with justice."

"Welcome the foreigners, for you were once foreigners yourselves," the nuns" ad urges.

The church leaders said it is appropriate for Christians to profess faith in Jesus. In a political debate, though, even sincere statements of faith "inevitably become associated with the candidate's self-interested desire to persuade. The political context is ill-equipped to sustain evangelical intent."

However, the leaders added, "any candidate's most deeply held beliefs are important information." They urged candidates to "find special opportunities to share any deeply held perspectives, including religious perspectives, that undergird their public policy views."

The statement did not suggest what ways would be appropriate to share those views. Joining Jordan and Hougen in the statement were Iowa regional leaders Phil Barrett, Neil Brown and James Sanders of the Presbyterian Church (USA); Connie Burkholder, Church of the Brethren; Christopher Epting, Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Gary Grogan, Mid-American Baptist Churches; Richard Guentert, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Forrest Harms and William Peake, Reformed Church in America; Susan Ingham, United Church of Christ; and Sarai Schnucker Beck, Ecumenical Ministries of Iowa.

The national Jewish Council for Public Affairs opposes government funding of social services through religious organizations unless the programs have safeguards to prevent proselytizing and religious discrimination.

Democratic candidates Al Gore and Bill Bradley responded to the survey, along with Republican George Bush. All three favor involvement of faith-based organizations in social services.

Bush said participation in the programs run by religious organizations should be voluntary and "inherently religious activities" must be privately funded.

Bradley said religious organizations providing services with public funds "must maintain strict protection for civil rights and a clear separation of church and state."

Gore also said participation must be voluntary, with secular alternatives available and no proselytizing allowed in publicly funded programs. Other Republican candidates did not respond in detail.