The event, held last night at a Christian college, provided a rare window into a more intimate side of the candidates at a time when the focus of the campaign has been largely on the Iraq war and the economy and when religion has emerged as a political flash point.

Questions from journalists and faith leaders at the "Compassion Forum" ranged across a wide spectrum of topics from global warming, human rights and poverty to abortion, end-of-life care, and even moments when the candidates felt the "Holy Spirit."

Moderator Jon Meacham, editor of Newsweek, opened with the news of the day, asking Clinton to explain what was wrong with Obama's recent comments about the working class being "bitter" and people who "cling to guns and religion."

Clinton said Obama's remarks seemed elitist and out of touch and patronizing.

"You know, the Democratic Party, to be very blunt about it, has been viewed as a party that didn't understand and respect the values and the way of life of so many of our fellow Americans," Clinton told an audience at Messiah College, near Harrisburg. "And I think it's important that we make clear that we believe people are people of faith because it is part of their whole being; it is what gives them meaning in life, through good times and bad times."

Obama countered that his comments about small-town Pennsylvanians had been "misconstrued" and defended as realistic his description of residents facing difficult economic times. "Scripture talks about clinging to what's good," he said. "Religion is a bulwark, a foundation when other things aren't going well. . . . What I was referring to was in no way demeaning a faith that I myself embrace."

The candidates appeared separately on the stage during the 90-minute event, sponsored by the nonprofit, bipartisan group Faith in Public Life. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, was also invited but declined, citing a scheduling conflict.

Obama and Clinton promised to restore the role of the United States on global issues such as human rights, and Clinton urged President Bush to consider boycotting the opening ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics.

"I believe we should demonstrate our commitment to people who are poor, disenfranchised, disempowered before we talk about putting troops anywhere," Clinton said. "The United States has to be seen again as a peacekeeper, and we have lost that standing in these last seven years."

Two candidates have not shied away from speaking about their faith on the campaign trail, even as it has touched off controversy.

A question about the role of Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, in his spiritual life provided him an opportunity to respond to Wright's inflammatory remarks.

"There are areas where we've disagreed on. And, obviously, the most recent loop that's been playing - Rev. Wright's greatest hits, so to speak are, I think, both a distortion of who he is and what the church has been about . . . but also express . . . some comments that I think are deeply offensive . . . and I've told him that."

The candidates also tackled several sensitive moral issues, among them whether they believe life begins at conception.

"I believe the potential for life begins at conception," said Clinton, adding that the Methodist Church, to which she belongs, had struggled with the issue. She said "abortion needs to be legal but remain safe and rare."

On when life begins, Obama said, "This is something I have not come to a firm resolution on."

He pledged that if elected, he would focus on preventing unwanted pregnancies that could lead to abortion.

Both were asked to speak at some length about their personal faith and their relationship with God.

"I don't think that I could have made my life's journey without being anchored in God's grace and without having that, you know, sense of forgiveness and unconditional love," Clinton said. "I mean, some of my struggles and challenges have been extremely public."

Obama was asked whether he believes God intervenes and rewards or punishes people or nations for their behavior.

"What I believe is that God intervenes, but that his plans are a little too mysterious for me to grasp," he said. "And so what I try to do is, as best I can, be an instrument of his will."

To the question of whether she felt God wanted her to be president, Clinton said: "I could be glib and say, 'We'll find out.' "

But she added: "I don't want to presume anything about God."

Obama took the glib route, answering the same question even though it had not been asked of him: "I look forward to our collaboration," he said.