Delegates included a nod to religion when they wrote Montana's constitutional preamble. Decades later, ideas about God, faith and morality continue to influence how lawmakers approach policy issues, from access to abortion and civil rights for LGBTQ people, to debates over religious freedom.

This year, Montana's Republican and Democratic candidates for governor are approaching these topics with different perspectives and religious philosophies. Depending on the outcome of the election, the political realities around these issues could change.