From the Rev. Al Sharpton, an ordained Pentecostal minister at age 9, to Howard Dean, lampooned for switching Protestant denominations because of a feud over a bike path, the presidential candidates are battling the perception that Democrats aren't at home with issues of faith.

"We've got to talk about it," said Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew who refrains from campaigning on the Sabbath. "Otherwise, the Republicans will get away with convincing people that they have some kind of monopoly on values and faith."

Republicans have long been associated with religious issues because of their alliance with conservative Christians. Democrats traditionally tread lightly to avoid offending any part of their more diverse ...