With the excitement of Super Tuesday over, the presidential candidate field is being defined even more. But what about the faith of the candidates? Religious belief is an important topic for many voters when it comes to American politics, with voters almost as keen to know of a potential president's past and present attitudes towards faith as they are to know their policies. It can be a tricky topic for some politicians who become entangled in controversy when their Christianity doesn't appear to be compatible with their political principles. And it can be just as tough for those who try to avoid talking about their beliefs altogether. So how exactly have this year's hopefuls spoken out or shied away from opening up about their beliefs?
Donald Trump
He famously hit back at the Pope after the leader of the Catholic Church appeared to refer to him as un-Christian. Was Pope Francis right? Trump didn't think so...
"No leader, especially a religious leader, has the right to question another man's religion or faith."
Trump has also stated that no-one reads the Bible more than he.
Hillary Clinton
The democratic candidate, who could be the United States' first female president, has voiced her support for gay marriage and pro-choice stance on abortion. But how does she personally categorise her relationship with faith?
"My study of the Bible and my many conversations with people of faith has led me to believe that the most important commandment is to love the Lord with all your might, and to love your neighbour as yourself. That is what I think we are commanded by Christ to do."
Mark Rubio
Rubio has made no secret of his Christian beliefs, his strong pro-life stance on abortion (he believes abortion should be illegal in all cases), or the impact that his faith has on how he would govern if he's elected.
"When I'm president, I can tell you this: My faith will not just influence the way I'll govern as president, it will influence the way I live my life. Because in the end, my goal is not simply to live on this earth for 80 years, but to live an eternity with my creator. "
Bernie Sanders
Regarded by some media outlets as the face of America's more spiritual, less religious society, Sanders' election would make him America's first ever Jewish president. He personally regards himself as a secular Jew.
"It's very easy to turn our backs on kids who are hungry or veterans who are sleeping on the street, but I believe that what human nature is about is that everybody in this room impacts everybody else in all kinds of ways that we can't understand...That's my religion. That's what I believe in."
Ted Cruz
In contrast to Sanders, Cruz has been very vocal about his religious beliefs...
"To have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to know that God's only Son died to pay for my sins, that I was fallen that I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, nothing is more important to me. I am a new creature in Christ, and it central to who I am today."
Ben Carson
Super Tuesday's results brought some disappointing news for the retired neurosurgeon, and he has in fact dropped out of the race today. But here's some of what Carson had to say in the past about how his faith would impact how he would govern on certain issues...
"There is a ton of stuff about how we have an obligation to the poor, from Jesus in particular—and I believe that. I believe that our obligation to the poor is not to keep them poor, not to keep them in a state of dependency."
