Could a person be elected to be President of the United States if he were not religious?

Answer 1

Not at this time. Historically, they've all been Protestant. It was a big deal when Kennedy, a Catholic, was elected. We're so pro-Protestant, we have yet to elect a Jew.

There is sort of an unwritten code that you have to be a white, Protestant, male to be elected President.

And to clarify to the other responders, the question was "could" not "can." Yes, one CAN be President as there is no Constitutional requirement. But since the question was posed as a hypothetical, I answered as such.

Answer 2

In my feeble old mind, President Ford was the first president to utter the words "God Bless You and God Bless America" to end his speeches. At the time many people thought it was strange that a person running for president would be so blatantly religious.
We also thought (at the time) it would hurt his chances for re-election (he didn't win anyway). But it seemed to start a trend. The trend has been going on ever since.

So, when you ask the question; if they were not religious, I doubt it would make a difference for the right person. As long as they didn't have a public preference either way.

Answer 3

Yes , people of faith shouldn't claim to have a corner on religious truth, but instead should view life as a journey toward that truth. Religious certainty is especially dangerous when it's mixed with politics, because it closes minds, hinders compromise and demonizes opponents.
The Bible teaches that "in this world we see through a glass darkly, and know in part." To believe one knows the whole truth and base politics on it, is a dangerous religious heresy "that makes evidence irrelevant and argument a waste of time." Firmly held convictions should be tempered by the recognition that they could be wrong

Answer 4

I think it's possible, but not probable. It's never happened in all the years the presidency has existed. And it was even a huge deal when Kennedy was (gasp!) Catholic instead of a Protestant, so I don't see a totally non-religious person winning anytime soon.

Answer 5

The President must be a natural born citizen of the United States (or a citizen of the United States at the time the U.S. Constitution was adopted), at least 35 years of age, and a resident of the United States for at least fourteen years.

There are no religious requirements.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States#Requirements_for_holding_office

Answer 6

Technically yes, but Bush has shown us that Christians can get pissed if they don't have the president on their side, which means a non-religious president would have a rough time getting elected.

Answer 7

Yes but it sure would not be a good thing. Our country needs GOD more than ever. There is no constitutional thing though to prevent anyone from being President on the basis of religion or lack of it.

Answer 8

Yes.

Separation of Church and State.

There are no laws against a person of any religious or spiritual views from running for President.

Answer 9

Great question.
The way it is right now, it would be as tough as electing a woman or a black president.
All the commotion about a rep swearing on the Coran because that's his faith and you would think it would be a local Iraq if the new president is atheist or agnostic.

File this under: XFiles

Answer 10

Sure thing, however, 98% of people in the US believe in God in some way or another, so I would imagine that an athiest would have a tough time getting elected. Very few presidents have been openly religeous. Most are people who believe in God, but don't implement that in a signifcant way in their every day lives.