But candidates are people with ideologies as well, and these are ideologies that are usually made well known to the public during an election.

Sure. Those ideologies can be Marxism, liberalism you name it. But one thing they have in common is that they are all ways to govern the country. They have economic, cultural, military etc views on how the country is going to act.

It is about identifying yourself with something. You shouldn't identify yourself as a X religion person when you are trying to govern the country. You can like any religion or dislike, it is irrelevant. Countries don't have feelings, they do what they do with calculations, how it will impact their people.

''I am a Christian'' i want to run this country. And? Wtf are you going to do? You being Christian doesn't put food in my belly. What is your economic view, what are you going to do with our military, that is the important part. Not your religion.

''I am a furry'' i want to run this country. And? You didn't base your views with any of the actual important stuff.

''I am gay'' i want to run this country. And? That is also irrelevant, you need to give us what you are really going to do with the country. Are we going to open 1000 gay bars, is that what your plan is for the economy?

TL;DR You can be whatever you want, you can't identify yourself with that when you are running the country. Religion is cool, but irrelevant. What is important is to let all people decide for themselves, create a free environment for them to live their cultures/religions etc.