Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Marianne Williamson want to harness God and love to beat Trump

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Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Marianne Williamson brought their own brands of spirituality to the second Democratic debate in Miami on Thursday night, giving God an unusual nod in such a forum outside of the phrase "God bless...." (Joe Biden checked that box.) Buttigieg, an Episcopalian, brought up religion in the context of President Trump's policy of separating children from relatives at the southern border.

"The Republican Party likes to cloak itself in the language of religion," Buttigieg said. Democrats don't talk about religion very much, because "we are committed to the separation of church and state, and we stand for people of any religion and people of no religion. But we should call out hypocrisy when we see it. And for a party that associates itself with Christianity to say that it is okay to suggest that God would smile on the division of families at the hands of federal agents, that God would condone putting children in cages, has lost all claim to ever use religious language again."

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Williamson took a broader view of religion, keeping up her skepticism of "plans" but sharing her "idea" about how to beat Trump in 2020. "He's going to be beaten by somebody who has an idea of what this man has done," she said. "This man has reached into the psyche of the American people and he has harnessed fear for political purposes. So Mr. President, if you're listening, I want you to hear me please: You have harnessed fear for political purposes, and only love can cast that out. So I, sir, I have a feeling you know what you're doing. I'm going to harness love for political purposes. I will meet you on that field, and sir, love will win."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.