Why is religion a political consideration?

It gives an indication of the person's deep held beliefs and philosophy on life. I would not want a leader that is a member of a death cult to be commander in chief of our mighty military industrial complex.

Not too much on the face of it, but what that identity means to the candidate and how that person came about their faith, that is where the gold is.

I somewhat agree, I do believe in separation of church and state. But, I also believe a leaders moral values are most important.

Edit: Sure!

Abortion = morally wrong

Welfare = morally wrong, kills responsibility

Gay Marriage = morally wrong

Interventionism = morally wrong

Forcing Catholic Institutions to pay for abortions = morally wrong

Edit: Like what Redbeard said!

Remember that fella Herman Cain, how he had like 10 girl friends, that's a terrible immoral quality. Nobody wants that in a leader.

Which not all religion is morally correct, take sharia law for example.

People tend to like and gravitate towards others who share the same beliefs as them. That's why officials who run for office are often pressured into voicing their stances on social issues like abortion, gay marriage and religion instead of just political and economic ideas and stances. Technically, it shouldn't matter what someone's religious beliefs are when it comes to choosing a candidate to vote for. But a candidate who shares someone's religious beliefs often provides a comfort level for them that goes beyond political beliefs. It's unfortunate that a candidate's religious views are a deciding factor in how people vote. But a candidate who has the same religion as a particular voter brings piece of mind and comfort to that person that political views cannot.

There is a difference between a government enforced legal distinction between religions, and a voter's right to take a candidate's religion into consideration when choosing a candidate.

Edit: Jennifer, your question brought the issue of the establishment clause in the question of why people take religion into account. In fact, you used it as the basis of your question.

A person's choice of religious belief says a lot about who that person is. That's why people use religion to help them decide, unless they are simply partyline voters.

The theory is that a governmental actor's religious views will affect the actions they take when they have discretion. People expect that people who share their values, including their religious values, will be more likely to make decisions they will approve of.

Because people like to vote for the people whom they most identify with. This is because they believe that person to most likely hold similar views, which may or may not be true.

for many..myself included, "religion" is a common communication that there is a higher price to pay for wrongs committed here...and i admit i do look for someone who believes in god first...

but..the other end of that is that some who claim religion, only see religion as a soapbox to look down upon others from...they see others as less than themselves...and i watch for that...

yes religion plays a role in my choices in candidates...but it is not the only factor...there are those who are athiests who i would condsider for public office who hold themselves to a higher standard...

Nice rack

obama is a closet muslim-this is definately a consideration to me. Muslims are enemies of the free world, of western civilization and we can't have one of them running as leader of the free world. Nobama 12', "I wont renig in 12'"