Although
this article is critical of Sarah Palin, I am not posting it as an exercise in Palin bashing. The author refers back to a speech by John F. Kennedy (her uncle) about the importance of judging public officials by their policy rather than their religion. It is a very thoughtful article.
I suggest that one's religious beliefs or non-religious beliefs do have an influence on our identity and our value set, and it would be disingenuous to claim that such background has no effect on our world view. The author seems to criticize those who would say that openly, but the description of Kennedy's career highlighted that influence. The more important point to me, for the purpose of choosing someone for public office, is where one's values have ended up - not how they got there.
Regards,
D-Ray