MOULTRIE — As John F. Kennedy fought for the presidency in 1960, he had to address voters’ concerns about his Catholicism. Now, Democratic candidate Barack Obama has faced similar concerns about whether he’s a Muslim (he’s not, according to his website) and because of angry remarks by the pastor of his church.

So, how much does a candidate’s religion sway voters? A lot, according to a poll at www.moultrieobserver.com.

The Observer posted the question “How much does a candidate’s religion influence your choice among presidential candidates?” Aug. 30. A week later, the results have been tallied. Of 109 respondents, almost 80 percent acknowledged it played some role in their choice.

Responses broke down like this:

• 22.94 percent said religion had no bearing on their decision.

• 16.51 percent said it weighed slightly.

• 17.43 percent said it weighed moderately.

• 28.44 percent said it weighed heavily.

• 14.68 percent said it weighed overwhelmingly.

So, among the Democrat and Republican candidates for president and vice president, who believes what?

Barack Obama

Obama was not raised in a particularly religious home. He went to work for a faith-based community organizing group in Chicago, drawn by the motivating component of faith. In his book, “The Audacity of Hope,” Obama related a salvation experience at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

“It was because of these newfound understandings — that religious commitment did not require me to suspend critical thinking, disengage from the battle for economic and social justice or otherwise retreat from the world that I knew and loved — that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity United Church of Christ one day and be baptized,” he wrote. “It came about as a choice and not an epiphany; the questions had did not magically disappear. But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago, I felt God’s spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth.”

Obama remained a member of Trinity United Church of Christ until earlier this year, when the pastor of that church, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, made comments that even Obama called “divisive” and “racially charged.” Obama tried to respectfully distance himself, but eventually he had to leave the church.