Issues of faith and religion come to the forefront quite often during elections and presidential campaigns. In preparation for the primary elections, I thought it would be helpful to provide a "faith snapshot" of each of the 2008 presidential candidates. I have sent each candidate a brief questionnaire about their faith. This project will be continually updated as I receive responses and find additional faith-related statements from the candidates. Please check back often!
Go Back to Complete List of 2008 Presidential Candidates.
• Giuliani withdraws his candidacy - 01/30/08.
Party: Republican
Age: 63
Education:
Manhattan College, B.A.
New York University School of Law, J.D.
Current Position: Businessman, Candidate
Experience: U.S. Attorney; Mayor, New York City
Declared Candidacy: Feb. 2007
Web site: Join Rudy 2008
Religion/Church: Roman Catholic
Rudy Giuliani was raised in the Roman Catholic Church and considered entering the priesthood as a young man. Married three times, Giuliani received an annulment for his first marriage, divorced his second wife after 18 years, and married Judith Nathan in 2003. Although he maintains that issues of faith and church attendance are private matters, he has said that he believes in God and seeks guidance through prayer to Jesus.
Of his faith, he told the Christian Broadcasting Network, "It's a very, very important part of my life ... But I think in a democracy and in a government like ours, my religion is my way of looking at God, and other people have other ways of doing it, and some people don't believe in God. I think that's unfortunate. I think their life would be a lot fuller if they did, but they have that right."
At the CNN/YouTube Republican Debate Giuliani said that he reads the Bible, at times regularly, and especially during times of crisis. He said that he believes the Bible is true, although not literally true in every single respect. He believes some parts of the Bible are allegorical, and some parts are interpretive, such as the story of Jonah being in the belly of the whale. He believes the Bible is the greatest book ever written.
• Background & Religious Bio of Rudy Giuliani
• Giuliani Cites Bible on Personal Life
• Rudy Giuliani's Rating from GodVoter.org
Democrats
Hillary Clinton - United Methodist
Barack Obama - United Church of Christ
John Edwards - United Methodist
Bill Richardson - Roman Catholic
Mike Gravel - Unitarian Universalist
Dennis Kucinich - Roman Catholic
Republicans
Mike Huckabee - Southern Baptist
Mitt Romney - Mormon
Fred Thompson - Church of Christ
John McCain - Christian
Duncan Hunter - Southern Baptist
Ron Paul - Baptist
