President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry put their faith on display on Wednesday, as Bush linked his foreign policy to a belief that "God wants everybody to be free" and Kerry tied his faith to a fight for equality and justice.
In the third and final debate between the two candidates, the Republican president, a Methodist who speaks often of his faith on the campaign trail, was asked how his religion influenced his decision-making.
Bush said his faith gives him "calmness in the storms of the presidency."
He emphasized that he does not seek to impose his religion on others.
"But when I make decisions, I stand on principle, and the principles are derived from who I am," Bush said.
"I believe that God wants everybody to be free. That's what I believe. And that's been part of my foreign policy," he added.
Kerry, a Roman Catholic, said he agreed with Bush on the importance of faith but said he differed on how to put that into practice. The Massachusetts senator faulted Bush for policies that he said promoted economic inequality in the United States.
"And I think that everything you do in public life has to be guided by your faith, affected by your faith, but without transferring it in any official way to other people," Kerry said. "That's why I fight for equality and justice."
The Massachusetts senator has come under criticism from some members of the Catholic hierarchy for his support for a woman's right to choose on abortion -- a stance at adds with church doctrine.
Kerry reaffirmed his position on abortion in the debate, saying he does not believe in legislating faith.
"I believe that choice (on abortion) is a woman's choice. It's between a woman, God and her doctor," the senator said. "And that's why I support that."