The role of religion in university and government decisions has become a hot issue on campus.

A university lecture will address this issue in a discussion on the role of church and state.

Congressman Steve King, R-Iowa, will speak at 7 p.m. Monday in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union to discuss the issue of “The Right to Religious Liberty.”

King was elected as a state representative to Iowa’s Fifth Congressional District in 2002 and will present a more conservative perspective on the topic of religious freedoms.

The Institute on National Affairs is sponsoring a series of lectures that will focus on the issue of religious liberties in the United States, and King is one of several speakers scheduled to lecture on the topic this semester.

“The Institute on National Affairs is doing a series on the Bill of Rights this spring, and [King] is approaching the topic of church and state from a conservative committee,” said Program Manager for the Committee on Lectures Pat Miller.

Cara Harris, student co-chairwoman of the Institute on National Affairs, said King will specifically address whether the idea of separation of church and state should still exist.

“He’s a fan of incorporating more religious doctrine into the political system,” Harris said. “I don’t typically agree with his viewpoints, but he makes good arguments and raises controversy, which is good for democracy.”

Josh Reicks, president of the ISU College Republicans, said he feels King is speaking about an issue that directly relates to college students. “Religion is a hot issue here,” he said.

Reicks said the recent implications associated with Cuffs performing demonstrations on campus illustrates how this is a hot issue that is causing controversy among the ISU community.

“Some people think Cuffs shouldn’t be here even if it’s not from a religious standpoint,” he said.

In addition to discussing religious liberties, Reicks said King will also address the issue of Cuffs.

“King is involved with the periphery [of the Cuffs situation],” Reicks said. “He will address the issue of Cuffs and what a normal university should do to handle the situation.”

One reason why King was chosen to speak at Iowa State was because of his passion for the issue of religious liberties, he said.

“He’s very outspoken about religious liberties — they’re very important to him,” Reicks said.

He said another reason King was chosen is because he is a candid speaker and likes to speak to young people.

“When he stands up to speak, he says something he actually means and believes in,” Reicks said.