I don’t understand why there is such a major emphasis on spirituality in 2008’s presidential election, but there is. Starting a few months ago, I noticed the 24-hour news cable channels doing specials on Hillary and God, Obama and God, Edwards and God, the Democratic Party and God, and I wondered why.

I do grasp the idea that traditionally, conservatism and Christianity go hand and hand. Grass roots politics in cahoots with the Religious Right, the Christian Coalition, and the Bible Belt’s endorsements have steadily been Republican. This year, however, things might be a shade grayer, according to recent headlines.

I am unconvinced, however, that the lines of support aren’t as black and white as they always have been. I’m not saying that any particular candidate is or isn’t religious. Lord knows (an interesting but not deliberate choice of phraseology) that Giuliani is no more devout a Catholic than Obama seems to be a Baptist.

Analysts have said that religion is often a double edged sword for liberals. If they suddenly choose to mention Jesus in a stump-speech, they are booed for having brought religion into the political arena by the separation-of-church-and-state junkies who are at the backbone of progressivism and the fight for modern liberties in this country. If religion goes unmentioned then candidates are blamed for having a large portion of constituents untapped. When they do mention it, their sincerity is brought into question by holier-than-thou conservatives.

However, substance-lacking bible thumping gets you no where. Hallelujahs and the mention of your breaking construction of a great kingdom hear on earth may seem like a quick-fix to a political conundrum plaguing that’s been Democrats for years but without showing convincing signs that you are genuine or knowledgeable the work seems counterproductive. When you are asked tough questions, don’t dodge the bullet (Hillary wasn’t sure, despite how seriously and personally she takes her spirituality, on the exact theology describing necessary prerequisites for entering into heaven).

Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s devotion is not in question (he was a missionary in France during his college-years). But the fact his religion damns every Christian baptism that took place between the time of Jesus’s Apostles and the 19th century inception of Mormonism is just a touch judgy, for my taste.

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