now that religion is a thorn in the side of the republican candidates.....?

First off, if religion is a thorn in the side of republicans, it is because republicans has gone away from their traditional beliefs.

Personally I think that every candidate, regardless of party, should have to answer questions about their faith. Any politician who tells you that their faith will not play a role in their decision making is lying. Either they are lying about it affecting policy or they are lying about it being their faith. A person's faith is a deeply ingrained part of their being and it affects how they perceive things and therefore how they act.

The republican party has never been about claiming to be holier than anyone else. Unfortunately there are some who acted that way to pander to the religious right, who's values happen to line up with the historical republican values (emphasis on historical). This won't help the current crop much as the only two with any morals are too far down in the polls for it to matter Most conservative Christians feel that any current candidate that claims to be religious is actually being a hypocrit.

As far as religion being interjected with politics that actually began back in 1776 when the Founding Fathers declared that our rights came from our Creator. Now I will admit that that is not much of an interjection but it was a start. The mixing of religion and politics was continued when Benjamin Franklin suggested that the Continental Congress break for three days of prayer and fasting while writing the United States Constitution. This suggestion was taken and since that day Congress has never met without first having a prayer. All of this happened in the late 1700s so I really don't think that you can blame the republican party for that as they were not founded until the 1850s.

Rather than indicting the republicans for hypocrisy I'll count this turn of events as a step in the right direction. It shouldn't matter what religion a politician is or if they are religious at all. They are elected to run the country not preach and I think as long as an individual is intelligent and has a sensible plan for how to run the country they should be a viable candidate. Hopefully in the near future the country won't even care what religion a candidate is. Oh, how I dream.

Wow, did they teach you that in your high school Civics class today? I think your question and premise are both ridiculous.

Religious ideology has always been a part of our political discourse. Read the US Constitution, the constitutions of each of the fifty states (all make reference to God or a Supreme Being or Creator), every inaugural address of every US President (every one mentions God, none mention Jesus). One reason that the US is such a great nation is that while it was founded as a non-denominational nation, it was not founded as a secular nation.

Isn't sad that you can't even win a nomination in this country without stating you believe in something that can't be proved? Both Republicans and Democrats. You have to believe that some guy from 2000 years ago was born of a virgin. It's ridiculous how scared people are....

i'm a democrat yet of all the republican applicants i ought to tolerate Romney..... He doesn;t bring up his faith because of the fact it is going to no longer count number. we've freedom of religion in this u . s . a . and NO the place does it say somebody should be a commonplace christian to be president. He knows the seoparation of church and state and can stand by using that.

Hmmmm.... I don't think I accept the premise of your question. I believe it's the Democrats that use the term "Religious Right."

It's true that Christians overwhelmingly endorse the Republican Party, but there are plenty of Christians who endorse the Dems...

The Christians that endorse the Dems are as confused as all the rest of the Dems who really have no clue who they are really supporting.

I haven't heard and Republican Candidate invoking Jesus in every speech, let alone every other word. But.. this would be great if they did!

Could it be that you're intolerant of Christians? You seem to be exaggerating a little bit.

Unlike the D.C. dike, Hillary they do answer these questions over and over again. Put down the Kool-aid, turn off PBS and watch a debate you will hear the answers but will you listen?

Maybe being the moral policemen of the world and standing up for "family values" (except if someone in your family is gay or needs an abortion) is catching up to them. I hope someone beats it into their heads that:

a. Our country was founded on liberal, secular values and

b. Their human rights and civil liberties stances, or lack thereof, stand in direct contrast to what Jesus promoted his entire life.

Wow!! Are you misinformed or what!! Mormons are a "cult"?? Might as well throw in Catholics for good measure as long as you put down someone's legitimate religion. Libs tout separation of church and state and now you, a lib, criticize conservatives for not discussing their religions. Who's on first base??

Bottom line is that you sound like you are down right scared.

Human Behavior is what boils down in the GOOD BOOK!