It has been 75 years since the birth of Martin Luther King Jr. and 18 years since President Reagan signed the bill making his birthday a national holiday. No American figure since his assassination has embodied moral clarity more than King. His legacy presents a marked contrast to many of the religious leaders who have entered the world of politics since, often while invoking Dr. King’s memory. From the Reverend Al Sharpton on the left to the Reverend Jerry Falwell on the right, religious figures in the political realm have more often been interested in dividing, instead of uniting, our nation.

The separation of church and state, and the consequent assurance of religious freedom, is fundamental to the greatness of America, but there remains a valuable role for religious figures to play in political life. A moral voice is often needed to cut through the pettiness of partisanship, pork, and policy.

In these first weeks of an election year, it is already easy to see that perspective and principle are rare and valuable on the campaign trail. On Monday, the day of the Iowa presidential caucuses, most Americans will not have work due to the observation of King’s birth.

One of the things Americans will be contemplating is his example in mixing religion and politics in American life. The reputations of both career paths have suffered in recent years due to disturbing scandals and shameless self-promotion. They remain, however, essential components of a vibrant democracy and responsible civic debate. Seventy-five years after the birth of Martin Luther King, we remember the man and his legacy, not least of which was showing how civic responsibility and religious beliefs can more than co-exist, but strengthen each other and American culture as a whole.