"The difference between the Canadian and American versions is that the Canadians tend to keep their beliefs to themselves"

That's my point. Canadians leave overt religiosity out of their political dialogue, and talk about issues instead. It would be considered inapropriate in this country and downright embarrassing for politicians to use religion as a way of self-promotion or as a way of attacking their opponents.

In that way, it's utterly unlike the USA, and a good thing.

I'm not saying a lot of Canadians aren't religious...I'm saying that they don't tend to bring it into the public political dialogue...(nor do the Europeans). We see religious faith as a private matter, not a public matter. And so it should be, same as one's sex life.

I have no objection to electing people who are religious. No objection at all. But I would object to them turning religion into a political football come election time.