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!
Party: Republican
Age: 72
Education:
Gettysburg College, B.A.
Duke University School of Medicine, M.D.
Current Position: U.S. Representative, Texas
Experience: Surgeon, Obstetrician, Gynecologist, U.S. Representative, Texas
Declared Candidacy: Mar. 2007
Web site: Ron Paul 2008
Religion/Church: Baptist
Ron Paul was raised by Lutheran parents and attended the Lutheran Church regularly during his childhood. Before deciding to pursue a medical career, for a short time Paul considered becoming a Lutheran minister. Two of Ron's brothers, David and Jerrold, are Lutheran ministers. While in college Ron Paul was married to Carol Wells an Episcopalian, and together they baptized their five children in this denomination.
In a summary about his faith, Ron Paul writes, "I have never been one who is comfortable talking about my faith in the political arena. In fact, the pandering that typically occurs in the election season I find to be distasteful. But for those who have asked, I freely confess that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, and that I seek His guidance in all that I do. I know, as you do, that our freedoms come not from man, but from God. My record of public service reflects my reverence for the Natural Rights with which we have been endowed by a loving Creator."
• Background & Religious Bio of Ron Paul
• Paul: A Seller of Ideas
• Ten Reasons for Christian to Vote for Ron Paul for President
• Ron Paul'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
Rudy Giuliani - Roman Catholic
Mike Huckabee - Southern Baptist
Mitt Romney - Mormon
Fred Thompson - Church of Christ
John McCain - Christian
Duncan Hunter - Southern Baptist
