Obama and Romney offer glimpse into their spiritual lives

WASHINGTON  (RNS)—President Obama says it's not his job to defend his Christian faith against doubters who suspect he's Muslim. His GOP challenger, Mitt Romney, says religion is "integral" to his life, even as often he avoids mentioning his Mormon faith by name.
   
In interviews published Aug. 21 by Cathedral Age, the magazine of the Washington National Cathedral, the candidates responded in writing to nine questions about their faith.

Religion has been a tricky political issue thus far for both men. A recent Pew Research Center poll found that only 49 percent of Americans can correctly identify Obama as a Christian. More Americans know that Romney is Mormon, but a significant minority (30 percent) does not believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christian.

Asked about people who question the sincerity of his faith, Obama responded: "You know, there's not much I can do about it. I have a job to do as president, and that does not involve convincing folks that my faith in Jesus is legitimate and real."

Answering the same question, Romney said: "I am often asked about my faith and my beliefs about Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. Every religion has its own unique doctrines and history. These should not be bases for criticism but rather a test of our tolerance."

Both men said  political candidates should be judged by their works, not faith.

"A political leader's faith can tell us a great deal or nothing," Romney said. "So much depends on what lies behind that faith. And so much depends on deeds, not words."

 Both also men said that religion is central to their lives.

"My Christian faith gives me a perspective and security that I don't think I would have otherwise: That I am loved. That, at the end of the day, God is in control," Obama said.

Romney said that "faith is integral to my life. I have served as a lay pastor in my church. I faithfully follow its precepts."

The men differed on the role of faith in public life.

Obama highlighted religion's contributions to the suffrage, abolition and civil rights movements. He also said that faith provides a "moral framework and vocabulary" for the country in times of crisis.

Romney said the country should "acknowledge the Creator, as did the Founders — in ceremony and word." God should remain present in American currency, the Pledge of Allegiance and history lessons, as well as nativity scenes and menorahs in public places, he added.

"In recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning," Romney said. "They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God."