McCain discusses our "Christian nation" and his views on Islam

You may have missed Sen. John McCain's interview with beliefnet.com on his faith and its influence on his public life. In it, McCain says that "the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation." He also states that "I admire the Islam" (the Islam?), but that he would prefer a President "who has a solid grounding in my faith." Presumably, he is referring to his faith generally as Christianity, and not specifically to the Episcopalian Church in which he was raised, nor the Southern Baptist Convention, of which his current church (North Phoenix Baptist) is a part. McCain also talks about an immersion baptism he may have after the election, saying he would not want a baptism at this time as it could look political. While most "mainline" Protestant churches (i.e. the Episcopals, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians) believe in one Christian baptism, and that it is not necessary to be re-baptized after changing churches, that is not the belief of the Southern Baptist Convention. McCain's desire to avoid the politics of baptism may not stem just from keeping people from questioning his motives. He is wise to avoid driving the wedge further in the theological schisms that exist within Christianity while on the campaign trail.

In spite of his comments about "the Islam," McCain does defend Mitt Romney's Mormon faith, and states that he does not believe it should be a campaign issue. McCain also says he cannot claim to have ever had a revelation from God, that he does not pray for personal success, and that he believes in the separation of church and state.