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Hundreds lined up early Sunday to see Senators Clinton and Obama at Messiah College. Many ticket holders were students.
"I just want to see how integrated faith into their political views," said sophomore Joseph Ruso.
The compassion forum quizzed candidates separately on personal issues like religion.
"God intervenes but his plan are little too mysterious for me to grasp," said Sen. Barack Obama (web|news|bio) .
"Faith is grace. It's love. it's mystery," said Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Though the very first question posed to each candidate involved Barack Obama's recent comments about small town working class voters in Pennsylvania being bitter and clinging to religion and guns.
"The characterization of people in a way that really seemed to elitist and out of touch is something that we have to overcome," said Clinton.
Obama says his words may have been clumsy but maintains he was referring to voters holding on to traditions when things aren't going well.
"What I was referring to was in no way demeaning of faith that I myself embrace," said Obama.
The abortion issue was also raised. Clinton said it should remain legal but needs to be safe and rare.
"Individuals must be entrusted to make this profound decision because the alternative would be such an intrusion of government authority," said Clinton.
Obama said education is important and adoption should always be an option.
"Its a woman's responsibility and choice to make in consultation with a doctor," said Obama.
The candidate's pro-choice stance was no surprise, but the audience response apparently was, considering the venue was a religious-based institution.
"I was surprised it got such a positive response by the audience," said Mechanicsburg resident Kathy Castonguay.
"It was a testimony in and of itself that the candidates were willing to come her knowing that is probably a group of students that are not welcoming to their points of view but still coming and being able to talk about it is something we respect," said Messiah student Amber Shank.
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