GOP frontrunners including Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain discussed religion and social issues in a web-only debate Saturday. Fellow contenders Rick Perry, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul also participated, though Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman were noticeably absent.

Citizen Link, formerly Focus on the Family Action, organized the Thanksgiving Family Forum at First Federated Church in Des Moines, Iowa, tapping Republican pollster Frank Luntz to moderate.

Candidates discussed the influence of faith on their political careers and what values they'd impose in America if elected.

The Daily Beast gave a brief teaser as the debate got underway:

Michelle Bachmann got things in gear by recounting how God "knocked on the door" of her heart. Newt Gingrich said conservatives need to eradicate secularism, which Rick Santorum added has "polluted" the public square. Herman Cain declares that would like to be able to discuss his own faith without worrying about “the political correctness police” to roaring applause from the audience.

Candidates addressed their intentions for social issues like abortion. At one point, Cain said he would push hard to overturn Roe v. Wade. Gingrich said he would explore allowing Congress to define personhood, ultimately to reach the same end.

Luntz asked the candidates to recount experiences that had had the deepest impact on their lives. Cain became visibly choked up while talking about his wife's support after doctors diagnosed the candidate with Stage IV colon cancer. Perry spoke of feeling lost after returning home from the air force. "There's a hole that can only be filled by the lord Jesus Christ," he said.

It comes as little surprise that the candidates would have to address faith to appease conservative voters. But even they would concede the plans they outlined for national government and the country's social foundations further cement the GOP candidates who participated Saturday as extreme alternatives to the status quo.

Watch the replay here.

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