There's been for a long time a kind of linkage of (the generalized form of) the common belief system & political involvement, as an easy "shared values" thing. While it's understandable, it does also assume of both politics & religion a falsehood -- namely, that if you don't follow the majority religion you're inherently immoral to an extent, and thus deserve less trust even on non-religious matters.

than McCain...pretty obvious

As Much as i despise McCain, let's be honest here...

I'm not offended by other people's superstitions; I am hostile, however, when those superstitions inform the exercise power over others vis a vis the State.

I also dispute the idea that the "MSM" is hostile to religion, hardly. It's almost a daily ritual for politicians to inform us about their faith, blah, blah, blah, blah. To me, the confluence of religion and politics in political rituals is at an all-time. The disdain/hostility is toward libertarians, free-market types, or those who dissent from accepting POTUS as our own personal jesus...