Inevitably, our worldviews will show and our deepest beliefs will become evident. We are not compartmentalized selves, and our most fundamental beliefs -- especially about God -- will determine our decisions and policy proposals.

The American civic compact and our system of political manners and customs leave many areas of concern both unclear and potentially awkward. This is especially the case with the issue of a political candidate's religious beliefs. Most Americans expect their President, for example, to believe in God. It is unlikely that an avowed atheist could be elected to high office in America. To date, most U.S. presidents have claimed some form of Christian faith and conviction. Even Thomas Jefferson took care to attend Christian worship services while in office.

A display of civil religion? Almost certainly so, at least in many cases. Still, Americans seem to have an instinct that basic beliefs will inevitably influence public policy and public leadership. As human beings, we cannot easily compartmentalize ourselves, placing our most fundamental beliefs about God, morality, and truth in one compartment and our political and public beliefs in another. We are not made that way.

The U.S. Constitution demands that there be no religious test for public office. That means that the government cannot bar anyone's candidacy on that basis. At the same time, voters use their own calculus when choosing candidates.

In my view, candidates should be as forthright and direct about their personal religious views as about any other question. Those who make too much of these beliefs risk appearing as a candidate for national preacher. Those who make too little of their beliefs risk appearing insincere and evasive. Those who seek to exploit their beliefs will do themselves political harm.

I think John F. Kennedy set an unfortunate example when he told a group of Baptist preachers in Houston in 1960 that his Catholicism would have virtually nothing to do with his presidential decision-making. How could that be? I want to know how a political candidate makes decisions, weighs priorities, and gains strength in crisis.

We are not electing a national preacher, rabbi, imam, or priest, but we are electing a human being. As much as possible, I want to know what that human being believes at the deepest levels and how those beliefs form character, perspective, and political decisions.

Of course, for that to happen we would have to move beyond sound bites and flashy TV commercials.