Four panelists clashed sharply over the role of religious influence in politics and the political need for the "Christian Right" at an Institute of Politics debate last night.

"America was established for God" and the Christian Right has sought political power because "it is concerned with the country's morality." Ed McAteer, president of the Religious Roundtable Association, told the nearly 200 spectators.

Ten Commandments

McAteer and co-panelist Bill Marshner, professor of theology at Christendom College, argued that legislators should base laws on issues like abortion on "fundamental" biblical interpretations.

But George McMillan Jr., lieutenant governor of Alabama, said. "I don't feel morality means anti-abortion."

McMillan and Paul Deats, professor of Social Ethics at Boston University, who called himself a "religious liberal," drew the most applause when they supported legal abortions. Moral groups should seek to influence others' ideas instead of "forcing laws on people who don't agree." McMillan said.

Marshner disagreed, saying. "The only way to square Christian ideals to a tolerance of abortion is to say that the New Testament is outdated." Pro-abortion legislators are "claiming [they know] better than the New Testament writers what God wanted."

Arguing that Marshner sees today's society and religion much more static than it is. Deats asked if "a living God" should "stop talking to Christians" in spite of widespread societal changes since Biblical times.

The Christian Right seeks to erect barriers between economic classes although "the gospel says to break down barriers," Deats added.

Quoting the Bible to support religious groups' political activity. Marshner said. "When the righteous are in power, the people rejoice" because "basic truths don't change."

All four panelists agreed conservative religious groups like the Moral Majority have improved America's political climate by prompting once-apathetic people to become involved in politics. But McMillan criticized the groups for aiming more at defeating incumbents than finding new solutions for national problems.