Can An Atheist Be President.

[kpgclark]

I think people who are accountable to themselves can do a great job. Look at how many people who are Christians mess up. Just because you are Christian doesn't mean that you are more likely to be a good leader or a good person. Give me a break! Look at how many Christian Presidents cheated on their wives. Look at how many priests molested children and how the church covered up for them. The folks I know who are athiest/agnostic make better moral judgements because they know that they are accountable to THEMSELVES. People use God too much as a reason to make bad/uninformed decisions.

 

[Elwood Blues]

A little to early for popcorn, but what the heck.

 

[Red Wings Fan]

I had a feeling the 'separation of church and state' argument would enter in. This has got too be one of the more perverse interpretations by the courts ever. I believe the 1st Ammendment conveys 2 points regarding religion: (1) the government may not establish a religion and (2) may not prohibit the free exercise thereof.

I've seen a lot of statements that point out that religion shouldn't be a factor. IMO, I believe this to be the opposite. How can it not be a factor when you are trying to decide the character of a person and how they may react in certain circumstances.

Not believing in God does not mean you are devoid of morals and ethics....It's just open to individual interpretation as to who's morals and ethics they are being measured against and whether or not they will sway in the breeze.

 

[kpgclark]

Agreed. I'm kicking myself for opening this thread-- and RESPONDING! I may just unsubscribe.

 

[kpgclark]

Just give me one example of a Presidential issue/problem that could only be addressed if one believes in God. Give me an example of how a Christian would solve a problem differently than a non-Christian.

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by missyc
Accountability

The president is accountable to the American people ... period.

 

[bubie2.5]

People use God too much as a reason to make bad/uninformed decisions.

 

[Red Wings Fan]

It's more about the difference in the thinking process that a person of faith goes through to solve the problem. Bush (43), for example, asks for divine guidance in decision making.

MinnieYC: Remember that this country was founded on Christian beliefs.

 

[Crankyshank]

There are people who believed a Catholic would never get elected and one did.

I would absolutely vote for an atheist if I felt this person was the most qualified candidate. I don't care if you worship at the altar of Ben & Jerry's for that matter

 

[IceQueen777]

Originally posted by Chattyaholic
I shudder to think of an atheist being the leader of our country

Yeah, I understand. Because we know how those atheists are. An atheist president would probably want to legalize murder and child pornography, because you know they have no morals.

 

[Red Wings Fan]

ICE:

Probably not....But what I do know is that a faith-based president ABSOLUTELY would not.

 

[lilpritch04]

It doesn't matter to me what religion anyone is or isn't, as long as they believe in kindness and humanity.

Sometimes people's personal religious values tend to get in the way of what is ethically right for the country as a whole.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by Red Wings Fan
It's more about the difference in the thinking process that a person of faith goes through to solve the problem. Bush (43), for example, asks for divine guidance in decision making.

MinnieYC: Remember that this country was founded on Christian beliefs.

You never answered kpgclark's question. Is there an example of how a Christian or non-Christian President would act differently?

And many will argue that the country was founded not on Christian beliefs, but rather for freedom of religion or the absence of such (e.g. atheism).

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by Red Wings Fan
ICE:

Probably not....But what I do know is that a faith-based president ABSOLUTELY would not.

Umm... one can have "faith" in any number of things. The religious right does not have a stranglehold on "faith" or "faith-based."

 

[Mickey_loves_Minnie]

Doesn't matter to me if someone's atheist; it wouldn't affect my decision to vote for the candidate or not.

I don't think it's all that likely that an atheist would be elected president anytime soon because a lot of people would have a problem with it. But the poll numbers seem to say that posters on the disboards don't care. So maybe I'm wrong?

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by Bob Slydell
And many will argue that the country was founded not on Christian beliefs, but rather for freedom of religion or the absence of such (e.g. atheism).

Bingo! That's why the Bill ofRights guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits the gov't. from establishing a religion for the country.

America is no more a Christian nation than we are a Buddist, or Taoist, or Islamic nation. We are a melting pot of religions with no single religion/belief/faith taking precedence over all others. If we have this, then maybe we need to change the inscription on the book the Statue of Liberty is holding to "Send me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearned to become Christians only..."

 

[MosMom]

I am an agnostic bordering on athiest (If I believe that others should be sure there is no god then how can I be so sure there isn't one so I'm more on the agnostic end of things as I believe anything is possible). I believe in complete freedom of religion and I certainly wouldn't force my beliefs on the nation which is more than I can say for some Christian presidents/politicians.

 

[jrydberg]

I'd vote for whoever I thought best for the job. That said, I think it will be a long time before this country elects an atheist to the top spot.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I would vote for an athiest, Jewish person, Buddhist, etc. Would a non-christian ever get elected? Or an African- American for that matter? I really don't know.

I noticed quite a lot of waspy looking faces at the RNC. Please don't take that as an insult (anyone) I'm half wasp too. It just makes me wonder why? If that really was the case, ya know?

 

[MosMom]

I noticed quite a lot of waspy looking faces at the RNC. Please don't take that as an insult (anyone) I'm half wasp too. It just makes me wonder why? If that really was the case, ya know?

Well, if anyone other than a Christian white male runs I would say it is safe to assume they would not be republican.