If you believe in God, would you vote for an atheist to public office?

Question

This is a follow-up to this question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060809052211AAA4TdH&r=w&pa=FZptHWf.BGRX3OFMhDFUUjxs5TbEU6orLCvHagO2uByXs945pQ--#NbUvWzK1UjlDEc0YrG1b

- more specifically to some of the answers. This question can't really be turned around because atheists generally have no choice but to vote for theists - or at least people who give lip-service to theism.

But if you believe in God, would you consider voting for an atheist? Or would you discount him/her from consideration because of his/her religious beliefs?

Well, to those who said no, I appreciate your honesty - as highly offensive as I find the thing that your honesty reveals. To summer time Mom - do you believe we all live in some kind of Atheististan where we have plenty of atheists to vote for? How can you, with a straight face, say that you are sure atheists wouldn't vote for Christians?

7 'no's in 27. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Well, it's a minority but it's roughly 25%, which is a big minority - enough to tilt the balance in almost any election I've seen. So there is still reason to be pessimistic. Those who answer 'no' here really interest me. It's open bigotry and amazing to me. I mean, I'm not surprised by it exactly, but it does make me feel sad.

Answer 1

Yes, very much.
A true believer, knows clearly that his belief is a very personal matter, and SHOULD not come in the way of voting for an atheist, if he is the best choice otherwise !
I have quoted the answer to the previous question in the source below, and it is my source , my own opinion, offering reasons, for not mixing up matters that are exclusive to our inner life and outside material aspects !

Answer 2

I don't think their beliefs have anything to do with how they would run their offices. Look at Bush. When he was running (both times) there was a big push in the Christian community to elect him. The man has done a horrible job and yet you still hear some Christians praising him for a job well done. Just because a person shouts out that they believe in God doesn't mean that will lead a country in a responsible and positive way. I would vote for an Atheist if that person had the best attitude and had spoke for what I wanted to see changed in America. Just because a man uses religious words doesn't mean he understands them.
Love & Light
Sharon
One Planet = One People

Answer 3

I do not discount anyone just for their religious beliefs or lack of them. There have been many in office that have beliefs that have been detrimental to the country as a whole but they got in. Look at Bush, been more detrimental than any in a very long time and gotten the country into a war that he wanted just because the man tried to have Bush's father killed, got the gas prices to high that even the rich are beginning to gripe about it, given this country a bad name in so many ways that they would not all fit on this site or in a book. I did not vote for him but I would vote for anyone that I felt could bring some honor back to this country, no matter what his religious persuasion.

Answer 4

That's the trouble with America today. As it's been said already, if an athiest tried to run for office, they would never make it. Too many people in this country hold religious beliefs that only a theist can make correct and fair decisions. I would whole-heartedly vote for an athiest taking any office, because at least then we would begin to have a balance of theology and atheism. That to me seems fair and just.

Answer 5

I like to think I'm open-minded, and I know that a belief in the divine does not automatically bestow wisdom or ability on a person. You can be a capable and responsible public officer without believing in God. I'm a Christian, but I know some great atheists. If a candidate's priorities were similar to mine, and I believed they were sincere, I hope having a different worldview from mine would not prevent me from voting for them. I express myself uncertainly because I gew up in a community where there was only one right way to believe (Protestantism) and I know that I still bear unintentional prejudices against people who don't believe the way I do.

Answer 6

What happened to the separation of Church and State? Since I know so many people that claim to be religious, but seem only to follow their religion's dictates on Sunday (or whatever their holy day is) I would vote for whomever seems to be the best person for the job, regardless of religious beliefs. Just because someone believes in God, doesn't guarantee that they will not lie, cheat and steal, or use their power for personal gain over the good of the people.

Answer 7

i think an atheist in public office would be a very logical choice and i say this as a spiritualist
but to have someone helping to run the country that has no pre conceived ideas about groups of people or bias against other groups is very sensible
to have someone that has personal responsibility without believing in a higher power would make sense .. that their actions come from logical thinking and not from handed down thoughts brought about through religion
yes why not
i just want to add though that i would love to see a spiritualist in public office even more though :o) lol

Answer 8

I would not vote him in because he does not have the interest of the people in mind. Light will be separate from dark. He is saying what God has placed here could not have happened. How can that be the person I need to see in office running things? No way/

Answer 9

Absolutely fascinating to see the reaction this question provoked. It's an object lesson in political maturity - showing the stages of understanding from "I wouldn't vote for them if they didn't share my beliefs" through "Maybe if they shared my views on other things" to "You vote the best person for the job."

I'd like to thank all answerers for giving a depth of perception which reassures me that we haven't yet reached the stage of degeneration where everyone falls into the first category.
Thank you - you've made my day.

Answer 10

Probably not, but my decision wouldn't be made on that criteria alone. John Ashcroft is a devout Christian, and I wouldn't vote for him as dog catcher! I don't vote party lines either. An atheist, who is dedicated to his job is as likely to receive divine inspiration while in office as anyone else. God is no respecter of men...