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    Summary of GOP Candidates’ Religious Affiliations

    By William Browning | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Mon, Nov 14, 2011
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
    Do you have a story to tell? Become a Yahoo! contributor

    Herman Cain told a gathering of young Republicans in South Carolina that "it was God saying that this was that I needed to do." Cain was referring to why he decided to run for president in a field of eight Republican candidates. In the middle of a sexual harassment scandal, the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza has brought religion back into the presidential race.

    Here is a look at the religious affiliations of all eight Republican presidential candidates.

    Rep. Ron Paul

    Rep. Ron Paul of Texas was interviewed by BeliefNet.com in 2008 as he was running for president. Paul was raised Lutheran and attended Episcopal services when he was raising his children. Paul attends a Baptist church now.

    Newt Gingrich

    Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich converted to Catholicism in spring 2009. The Daily Beast reports Gingrich's religious views and moral underpinnings have been called into question several times regarding three marriages and two divorces.

    Rep. Michele Bachmann

    CNN reported Rep. Michele Bachmann and her husband left their church they attended for 10 years shortly before making her announcement she was running for president. Bachmann's family belonged to the Salem Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Minn. Her family was granted a request to be released from membership June 21. Bachmann announced her candidacy six days later at a debate.

    Rick Santorum

    Former Pennsylvania lawmaker Rick Santorum is a Catholic. CNN's religion blog states many conservative Christians view Santorum as one of the most right-leaning candidates on social issues such as abortion and gay marriage.

    Jon Huntsman

    Jon Huntsman has a religious tradition in his family going back to his grandfather. The former governor of Utah's ancestor was an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to CNN. Huntsman's father was a lay leader in the Mormon church. The former ambassador to China was a Mormon missionary to Taiwan which is where he acquired Chinese language skills. Despite his upbringing, Huntsman told the news service he isn't "overly religious."

    Herman Cain

    Herman Cain is a longtime member of Antioch Baptist Church North in Atlanta where he is an associate minister. CNN reports the church boasts 14,000 members, has an operating budget of more than $5 million and is near the former home of late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

    Gov. Rick Perry

    Texas Gov. Rick Perry is a lifelong Methodist. The New York Times states Perry hosted a huge prayer rally in Reliant Stadium in Houston in early August. Perry traditionally attends Tarrytown United Methodist Church in Austin where he has been a member since February 1998. He has also been attending Lake Hills Church in West Austin, a contemporary evangelical megachurch.

    Mitt Romney

    Mitt Romney is a leading candidate among eight Republicans. He is a prominent member of the Mormon church. The New York Times reports Romney's family traces its roots back to original followers of Joseph Smith in New York when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was first organized.

    William Browning is a research librarian specializing in U.S. politics. Born in St. Louis, Browning is active in local politics and served as a campaign volunteer for President Barack Obama and Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill.

     
     
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