Sen. Obama reached a turning point in his campaign when his membership with the Trinity United Church of Christ came under severe scrutiny in the press. In particular, Hillary Clinton's camp whipped the public into a frenzy over Obama's controversial ex-pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

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After giving a speech to specifically address the complex issues of race that might force a man like Wright to speak negatively of America, Barack left his church of 20 years on May 31, 2008. But the religious affiliations of other popular candidates are just as controversial. Will these candidates face the same fate?

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Sarah Palin is a fundamentalist Christian, but claims that she is not a member of any church. She is not afraid to let her religious views inform her political policies. According to The Huffington Post, Palin has strong ties to The Wasilla Assembly of God, which she was a member of from age 12 until 2002.

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Palin is still close friends with the senior pastor of Wasilla, Ed Kalnins, who believes the Iraq conflict is part of a religious war, that democrats go to hell, and that these are the 'end times' -- as in "end of the world." With a religious confidante like this, should this candidate potentially control nuclear arms?

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According to the Associated Baptist Press: "John McCain has a deep and personal Christian commitment despite his reluctance to speak publicly about it, according to the man McCain calls his pastor,' Dan Yeary, pastor of North Phoenix Baptist Church.

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But, in the course of his political career, McCain has made some strange religious bedfellows. This year, he had to reject the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee, pictured here, after it was revealed that the controversial figure believes Hitler was "doing God's will."

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John McCain has also been associated with the Rev. Jerry Falwell (1933-2007). Among many controversies, Falwell was critical of the policy of U.S. sanctions against South Africa, an effort to punish the overtly racist Apartheid government during the '80s.

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Sen. Joe Biden actually has one of the more calm and clear religious records of any candidate around. A devout Catholic from birth, if elected Biden would become the nation's first Catholic vice president.

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As a Roman Catholic, Biden's religious leader is Pope Benedict XVI. As a pro-life Democrat, Biden has come under fire from his religious community, who tried to pressured former Diocese of Wilmington bishop Michael Saltarelli to refuse to give Biden Holy Communion over the issue.

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George Bush comes off as a "good ole boy," all about family, apple pie and American traditions, including the tradition of conservative religious worship. The support of evangelical Christians has helped him to secure his two presidencies.

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Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin went head to head in their first and only vice presidential debate in St. Louis on Thursday, clashing on the economy, energy issues and foreign policy. Here, the candidates greet each other at the start of the highly anticipated showdown.

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The debate at Washington University in St. Louis marked the first meeting of the vice presidential candidates. "Can I call you Joe?" Palin asked Biden, who approved.

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The stakes were particularly high for Palin, who has served as governor of Alaska for less than two years. Polls show the public has become more skeptical of her ability to handle the vice presidency. Palin made only one obvious stumble, when she twice referred to Gen. David McKiernan, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan, as "Gen. McClellan."

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The pressure was less intense for Biden, a veteran of more than 35 years in the Senate.

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The economy quickly took center stage, with both candidates weighing in on the financial crisis and the bailout bill awaiting congressional approval. "The economic policies of the last eight years have been the worst economic policies we've ever had," Biden said.

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Palin said one way to gauge the economic times would be to attend a child's soccer game and listen to parents. "I betcha you're going to hear some fear," she said.

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Later, the tone became more heated when the topic turned to the Iraq war. Biden said that he and Barack Obama will be the administration to end the war and said John McCain had been "dead wrong" about the conflict. "For John McCain there is no end in sight to end this war -- fundamental difference," he said.

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Palin countered that Obama's exit plan was essentially "a white flag of surrender in Iraq" at a moment when victory was "within sight." She also said Biden had once supported McCain's view of the war.

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Palin got some bad news just before the debate, when an Alaska judge threw out a lawsuit filed by Republicans seeking to stop an abuse-of-power investigation aimed at her. Here, Palin looks on from the side prior to taking the stage.

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Palin and Biden smile after the conclusion of the debate.

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