Politics and Religion is a part of the United States political process. Additionally, the 1st amendment gives voters of the United States the freedom of Religion, press, expression of speech as stated below. This is vital in both State and local politics and the basis for voters questioning a candidate's belief system.
"Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
There is currently a voiced concern over a candidate being a Mormon. Other candidates have religious views that meet the Christian and a Catholic beliefs. Candidates are currently telling voters that their religion and politics will not interfere with the way they govern and people should not be concerned.
However, if following State and a Muslim was a moving force in directing our United States Politics there would be great concern among voters voting in the primary or general election for 2008. The fact that Islam has a reputation of having radical Muslims in both politics and religion promotes questioning of the political candidates religious beliefs when they decide to run for presidency, even though this religion is increasing in State across several countries.The fact is when voting for a president whether in a general election or in a primary the individual automatically opens their life up to scrutiny or questioning of beliefs be it family beliefs, financial beliefs or religious beliefs.
The realism is, politician beliefs as well as citizen beliefs help form their opinions and how they chose to approach every situation.
This the total package of what makes a person who they are both good and bad. This explains how candidates come up with their decision or solution when navigating the United States Politics It is a responsible voter who questions ones beliefs about the candidate's religious beliefs as it is regarding their beliefs about fiscal responsibility and government's role in the process. Additionally, the United States should never consider a law that prevents any religion for seeking office of presidency, not only because it's in our first amendment and would violate our constitution but also because as religions spread so does the total restructuring of beliefs of the voter both in State and local politics.The final decision of who will be elected in the United States will always end up on the shoulders of the voters and the Electoral College, thus the voter still drives the United States Politics as long as democracy still has control.
In the end people do not have to choose to be in politics. If they choose not to be in politics their religious beliefs should not be questioned as long as their beliefs do not provoke violence among non-believers. If the politicians religious beliefs are so strong, be it State or local politics they do not want to share or are unable to discuss their views then the candidate should not ask to represent me or the voters of the United States.