Dear editor:

Many factors are brought into play in the race for the presidency &8212; party affiliation, position, money and others. However, one important ingredient is the part that faith plays.

First, let me identify myself: a Baptist for a lifetime, tolerant of all races and groups. Having prayed and worshiped with blacks, some of the finest people I know are black. Further, my son-in-law began and for eight years pastored a bi-racial Baptist church &8212; 60 percent black and 40 percent white. My daughter, a product of our home, took four black children into her home (diapers and all) for three months while their mother was away in drug rehab.

During the present presidential campaign, criticism has been leveled against certain candidates concerning their faith. A case-in-point is Mike Huckabee, a Baptist.

There is fear that his religious connections will unduly hinder him from making proper decisions. Another case is Mitt Romney, a Mormon. Some believe his denomination is not mainline Christian and that Salt Lake City would exert undue pressure on his decisions. This brings to mind Barack Obama, brought up in a Muslim home and presently a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ, a church which permits only black members. Facts concerning Obama&8217;s beliefs are revealed in the church&8217;s Web page www.tucc.org/about.htm. During his appearance on Oprah Winfrey&8217;s program, Obama indicated his membership in the aforementioned church, which according to the Web site has a &8220;non-negotiable commitment to Africa.&8221;

It is difficult to realize that the above facts have not been dealt with during this presidential campaign. In my initial statement, it is evident that I have no qualms concerning a black candidate, but a Muslim dedicated to Africa is quite troubling indeed.

Harold Blackburn

Silverhill