The idea that Lincoln was some kind of ideological purist is utter nonsense.
But if this is the case, then it was his belief in his country that motivated him and that qualifies Lincoln as a believer. In my mind that was enough to not delete his name after typing it. :)
It's a thin-ish book and I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Long-Pursuit-Lincolns-Thirty-Year/...