BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: More signs this week of the significance of religion in the 2008 presidential race. Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton both appeared last weekend (March 4) in Selma, Alabama where they helped mark a key moment in the fight for civil rights. The two joined former president Bill Clinton and many civil rights leaders in reenacting the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Forty-two years ago, the civil rights marchers there were brutally beaten by police.

Before the march, Hillary Clinton spoke at Selma's First Baptist Church.

Senator HILLARY CLINTON (D-NY): And I want to begin by giving praise to the Almighty for the blessings he has bestowed upon us as a congregation, as a people and a nation.

ABERNETHY: At the same time, Obama spoke at Brown Chapel AME Church, just a few blocks away. He urged the congregation to carry on the fight for civil rights, just as Joshua carried on the work of Moses.

Senator BARACK OBAMA (D-IL): And it's a responsibility of the Joshua generation to make sure that we have a government that's as responsive as the need that exists all across America.

ABERNETHY: Obama is an active member of the United Christ of Christ and has spoken openly about his faith. But now, some are trying to make his pastor an issue in his campaign. Kim Lawton reports.

KIM LAWTON: Senator Barack Obama says he has been deeply influenced by his church, Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's South Side, and its senior pastor Jeremiah Wright. That connection is now generating political controversy. Wright says he's not surprised.

Rev. JEREMIAH WRIGHT (Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ): You think it's ugly now. It's going to get worse. It's going to get much worse.

LAWTON: With 9,000 members, Trinity is the largest and one of the most prominent congregations in the United Church of Christ. In the past few weeks, conservative bloggers and pundits have begun raising concerns about Wright's Africentric theology and his liberal -- some say radical -- politics. Wright has been an outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq and a strong supporter of the Palestinians.

Sen. OBAMA (speaking at rally): I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for president of the United States of America.

LAWTON: Some campaign advisors are reportedly urging Obama to distance himself from Wright. At the last minute, Obama asked Wright not to offer a public prayer at the rally when he announced his run for the presidency. Wright told us he has long understood that Obama may be forced to distance himself.

Rev. WRIGHT: He can't afford the Jewish support to wane or start questioning his allegiance to the state of Israel because I'm saying I think the position we've taken in terms of Palestinians is wrong.

LAWTON: Obama credits Trinity -- and Wright -- with bringing him to a personal faith. He says more than 20 years ago he walked forward in response to an altar call given by Wright.