Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is not a Muslim, has never been a Muslim and has no plans to become a Muslim.

The Illinois senator has respect for Islam, but for decades he has thrown in his lot with the crucified rabbi of Nazareth. His father, an African immigrant, was nominally Muslim. His mother, a white Kansan, was raised by Christians but the faith never took root.

Earlier this week, a photo of Sen. Obama dressed in tribal clothing in rural Kenya hit the Internet. He is seen wearing a turban and a wrap-around garment while on a trip to his father's homeland in 2006.

The photo has become exhibit A for those who believe -- against all evidence -- that Mr. Obama is trying to hide his "true" religious affiliation as a Muslim. Because millions of Americans are beginning to take a look at Barack Obama as a credible candidate for president, perceptions of who and what he is matter more than ever.

There's no proof that the campaign of Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton had anything to do with passing the photo to the Drudge Report, as the Web site claims. But if her campaign is responsible, it shows the cynicism and desperation to which it has sunk as the race has tightened.

The irony is Mr. Obama has been open about his religious affiliation. He's one of the more visible congregants at Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's South Side and he liberally sprinkles his speeches with biblical allusions.

If we can't take Barack Obama's profession of faith at face value, what does it say about our own?