It would be disingenuous of me to say that I pay no heed to a candidate's religious background. Of course I do. It is one indication among many that a candidate truly seeks justice rather than power. It is true that an unchurched politician can be an outstanding example of justice -- think of Lincoln -- but religion is more likely to make him a just man than not.

That said, I am not too interested in a candidate's religious background as such (as a child he was an altar boy) or in his exhibition of fervor (the Good Book prominently displayed as he departs from Sunday church). I would prefer not to see religion worn on his sleeve, but I do hope that religion, and the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance, inform his words and actions.