Content Last Updated: 01/30/2012

Issues of faith and religion come to the forefront quite often during elections and presidential campaigns. In preparation for the 2012 elections, Im providing a faith snapshot of each of the presidential candidates. This project will be updated as I find additional faith-related statements from the candidates. Please check back often!

Barack Obamas Political Profile:

Party: Democratic

Age: 50

Education:

Columbia University, B.A.

Harvard Law School, J.D.

Current Position: President of the United States

Experience: Attorney, Illinois State Senator

Declared Candidacy: April 4, 2011

Website: BarackObama.com

Barack Obamas Faith Snapshot:

Religion/Church: Former member of the United Church of Christ.*

President Barack Obama was not raised in a religious household. Like his mother, he said he grew up with a healthy skepticism of organized religion. His father was born Muslim but became an atheist as an adult. His mothers family members were non-practicing Baptists and Methodists. It was after college that he encountered a spiritual dilemma. Realizing something was missing in his life, he felt drawn to be in church.

Obama said he had begun to sense God beckoning him to submit to his will and dedicate himself to discovering truth. So one day he walked down the aisle at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and affirmed his Christian faith.

Remaining a member of the church for 20 years, Trinity, Obama said, is where he found Jesus Christ, where he and Michelle were married, and where his children were baptized.

In a Call to Renewal Keynote Address in June 2006, Obama referred to himself as a progressive Christian.

During Obamas 2008 presidential campaign, the pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.

, made headlines for what many considered highly offensive and controversial remarks from the pulpit. Distancing himself from his pastor, Obama publicly denounced Wrights comments as divisive and racially charged.

*In May 2008, Obama