Fairness has nothing to do with it. Voters get to consider whatever they like, including race, gender and, yes, religion. Sadly, the right to vote isn't always accompanied by the ability to vote wisely.

That said, religion isn't relevant in American politics anymore, except in the most cosmetic way. Throughout most of his public life, Donald Trump was an unabashed moral train wreck, but none of that mattered to the Evangelicals (and Catholics) who voted for him. Jerry Falwell, Jr. and Pat Robertson may say they believe Trump's a sincere Christian at heart, but what they really care about is that he supports their issues.

Besides, what does it really mean to be a person of faith in public life? That's a serious question that calls for deep, prayerful reflection and charitable dialogue. But such conversations can't happen in a political forum because politics, by its nature, is adversarial and dumbs everything down. That, more than anything, is why religion and politics are a bad mix.