In my experiences, there are many, many doubters in the world. At times I wonder if they are the silent majority. Is it intolerance by believers? Are they just afraid to stand up?
2006-07-21 04:48:17 · 20 answers · asked by ? 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Atheists are not deceptive and manipulative enough to be politicians. Only religious types are that warped.
2006-07-21 04:52:36 · answer #1 · answered by Ann Tykreist 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think the ratio of believers to Atheists is still well in favor of the believers, although the numbers are getting closer to each other. Most people are still confusing good moral values with being only exclusive to religious values, which is totally bogus.
If there are agnostic/atheists in politics they are in the closet. I think what it will take to turn the tide is for someone the public already knows and respects, comes out of the closet to admit he is an Atheist. People will then see they are just as moral if not more so than many religious politicians who preach family values and rot from the inside.
Eventually the tide will turn as more and more people question the belief structure.
2006-07-21 04:56:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my experience, most atheists and agnostics are thinkers...and as such, have no desire to run for public office. Public office is often the soapbox for religious types who have an agenda to focus their ambitions on. Then again, there is also intolerance...when do you think we will see a Jewish president? Or a woman president? Or a black or hispanic president? Are they less qualified to run things? Do they lack the Mandate of God that our present fundamentalist-in-chief seems to think he has? The ultimate hypocrite...the man who uses religion to get himself elected and then breaks just about every principle that religion stands for...and then uses religion to justify the atrocities committed thereby.
2006-07-21 04:55:05 · answer #3 · answered by gadjitfreek 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In reality, there are probably thousands of atheists & agnostics in public office.
But in the US, "tolerant" christians won't vote for someone who doesn't conform to their beliefs. So I'm sure that many are simply cohersed into playing along.
How many christians do you know that would be willing to vote for a non-christian, even if they were clearly the most qualified person for the job, and even if they lead a good, moral life... but just not according to Xiantiy?
2006-07-21 04:54:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The religious right have a stranglehold on the voters. This will not change for some time.
I mean, think about it... can you imagine a presidential candidate calling himself an atheist? That would eliminate 75% of his voters by that one statement. No political party is going to support a candidate who alienates that many voters.
However, I would bet good money that we've had plenty of atheists in office. They just don't admit it, for the reason above.
2006-07-21 04:53:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The truth is that there has never really been a separation of Church and State. Most political offices are funded by religious groups. They actually Criticize politicians that do not go to church of some form or another. Even the President is required to attend a certain amount of religious activities, he has to be sworn in on a bible, in fact all politians do, and pray is required at all state functions. if you ask me, we should get serious on the seperation of Church and State.
2006-07-21 04:58:46 · answer #6 · answered by Artistic Prof. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the majority of people in this country are "Christian." Meaning that they may have gone to church when they were kids, or go on Easter or Christmas, or their parents were Christians.
They're really just normal people that have a childhood bias sunk into them that forces them think only Christians are moral people. And that atheists/agnostics are the enemy.
2006-07-21 04:57:39 · answer #7 · answered by Eldritch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Becuase despite the growning number of Atheists/agnostics, it is unfortunate but our society still relies greatly on religous influence. For a candidate to have some sort of mainstream religous preference, it will help them demographically. More people will be able to closely relate themselves to their elected official which is a state of mind that carries with it comfort and trust in the political system.
2006-07-21 04:52:37 · answer #8 · answered by Nick the Great 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What makes you say that? Never heard of used car salesmen?
People can say -anything- (and often do) to get elected. Doesn't mean they believe what they say.
Consider the proclamations of Pat Robertson. Now -there- is a guy who knows just how to use the gullibility of others to get rich. You don't think the same can be said about politicians who use the same tricks?
2006-07-21 04:57:32 · answer #9 · answered by bobkgin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because this country was founded on Christianity. In our country...it's about who you know....The more educated, prestigious families will have more abilities to make it to politics than your average Joe off the street. So think about it....If our founding fathers were Christian...then their kids, friends, extended family were as well and it just went down the line. I'm not saying that our country does not have any diversity...I'm just stating a fact that the primary religion in our country is Christianity.
2006-07-21 04:57:40 · answer #10 · answered by clclmom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The laughable thing is that people think that Bush is a christian. Tell me, what christian rules is he following when he orders the torture of innocent people (Abu Graib) and the death of 19 children and thier 65 year old teacher in a suburb of Baghdad?
We need more atheists in the white house...
2006-07-21 04:54:16 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋