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Richard Elliott, candidate for town commissioner in Morrisville, was among those who think religious affiliation is not the public's business. "Why should there be a religious test for a candidate?" he asked me. "I don't want to see a religious campaign, do you? It's inappropriate. It's personal. It's my relationship with the Lord, and that isn't something people should be voting on."

I found the answers to the religion question interesting. It's interesting, for instance, that all three candidates for Rolesville commissioner go to the same church (Rolesville Baptist). It's notable that there are no professed Jews running. And the largest number of candidates who would not answer the religion question (six) are running in Chapel Hill or Carrboro. For whatever that's worth.

And it's interesting that 123 of 137 candidates, 90 percent, who responded to the query professed some kind of religious faith. That's notably higher than the 66 percent of Americans who, the Gallup Poll reported last week, say they belong to a church, synagogue or mosque. ('Course, The N&O didn't ask how many actually go to services.)

But I have to agree with Elliott that the religion question is inappropriate. I don't think religion and politics mix well, and newspapers should not be highlighting the spiritual dimension of a candidate's character. Some folks said we shouldn't be asking candidates their political affiliation either, since most local elections are non-partisan. I disagree; a person's party affiliation is relevant, a telltale on how he or she might vote on issues.

But the religion question does not pertain to performance in public office. It suggests to me a litmus test that folks need to be religious, or to profess a faith publicly, to be considered for election. And it may disadvantage a candidate who either is not religious, or is hesitant to be so publicly, among the great majority of the public who told Gallup that religion for them is important. This is the kind of religious test that our democracy properly doesn't pose. Neither should the newspaper.

There is much about the Voters Guide that is interesting and educational, and you should get your hands on one before you go into the voting booth on Tuesday. The 68-page section represents a prodigious effort on the part of The N&O staff, with lots of biographical information, campaign issues and how and where to vote.

But you and I don't need to know the church affiliation of a political candidate.

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