Politics and religion

Like John F. Kennedy before him, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney suggested to the American people Thursday night his particular brand of faith is not a threat.

President Kennedy, a Catholic, famously said he would not take directions from the church on matters of public policy, and that the Constitution guaranteed the separation of church and state. For his part, Mr. Romney shrugged off his Mormon faith, saying the fact it made him different than most Americans was no big deal.

He also made a point of saying he would guarantee freedom of religion, even though there was no obvious reason for him to make such an assurance other than polls that show some American Christians don’t like the Mormon religion.
There was a certain irony about a U.S. leader feeling compelled to trumpet freedom of religion in order to appeal to the better instincts of those who might vote against him because of his religion.

American presidential candidates may not talk about their particular brand of faith, but they all establish their credentials as men of God and faith. And as if to advertise those core beliefs, every president since the Second World War, including Barack Obama, has invited evangelist Billy Graham to the White House for an audience.
Prayer breakfasts and spiritual gatherings are routine.
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