Beliefnet founder Steve Waldman‘s list of “what’s scary, what’s not scary” about Sarah Palin’s religion is a useful, if slightly misleading, tool for journalists eager to find an entry point for writing about the trinity of church, state, and Palin. Useful: Waldman pays attention to language, pointing out that Palin didn’t declare the Iraq War “God’s plan” but rather hoped that the war to which she is sending her son is God’s plan. The former is presumptuous; the latter, understandably imploring. And, of course, he’s right that studying the Bible for leadership lessons is not scary — unless it is. Not useful: Waldman’s setting his perspective up as the standard of reason — and lopping the left and right ends of the spectrum clean off. The fact is, for many Americans, nothing is scary about Sarah Palin. For others, everything is. The reasonable center Waldman upholds is an assertion, not a fact; an etiquette, not a real place. If you recognize Waldman’s guide as such, it’s a smart, useful articulation of a mildly liberal, establishmentarian perspective.