Would you vote for an athiest as President?

Answer 1

No, anyone who has enough time to think about how something doesn't exist and believe it is a pathological liar to me, and if I can help it, one will NEVER run my country.

Many self-described atheists share common skeptical concerns regarding supernatural claims, citing a lack of empirical evidence for the existence of deities. Other rationales for atheism range from the philosophical to the social to the historical. Although atheists tend toward secular philosophies such as humanism, rationalism, and naturalism, there is no one ideology or set of behaviors that all atheists adhere to.

Answer 2

Some interesting points have been brought up. The problem here is alot of people are seeing things as either there should be a separation or not between church and state. But this doesn't actually get to the heart of the question.

Like it our not, your beliefs give you a moral compass to work from. The person has to make that choice whether to follow it or not. I would not vote for an athiest for the simple matter that if he doesn't believe in a divine being of some sort, then he has no basis for right and wrong.

With any Christian, Muslum, Jew, Hindu, etc, you may not agree with their beliefs, but atleast you know what their moral compass is. That persons character will then show as to how they live by it. With an Athiest, there is no such compass to live by, so who can say that something is immoral or wrong.

Now for KJ's responce, the President isn't supposed to due what the polls of the country state he is to do. We the people don't have any where near the information that he has available to him. If it was supposed to be the will of the people that is to govern the country through the President, our founding fathers would have made our government a true Democracy, not the Republic you see. Our say is done when we vote for those to represent us in the government. We can talk to those representatives to give our opinions and beliefs on the matter, but it is up to them to make the choice on what is best for that area (whether it be a town, city, county, state, or country). Now that isn't to say they are supposed to tell you what is best for you, but to put into action what is best for that region as a whole. This is where the Conservatives and Liberals differ. Conservatives believe that a smaller central government and larger local one can better reflect on what is best for an area. Liberals on the other hand think the bulk of resources should be handled at the highest level possible.

Answer 3

if they support the other issues I support.
I'd feel better if I knew that the president wouldn't have any religious dogma getting in the way of being impartial and committed to the law.

but then again some athiests can be a bit extreme- I just doubt that an extreme one will get very far. I fiure if they an athiest and are running they are probally tolerant

Answer 4

I really don't care what religious affiliation the president has. As president he is suppose to follow the will of the people (unlike the way the present administration is doing it) and not impose "his personal beliefs" into the situation at all. If a candidate can forget "party" politics and can bring both sides together to find a solution to any given issue, then they will have my vote. We need somebody who is willing to compromise. I don't care if they're atheist, male or female, white or black or pink with orange polka dots.

Answer 5

Definitely, because morality has nothing whatsoever to do with religion. Many of the ancient Greeks were more moral than the murderers that have been called popes and saints. A man (or woman) who can think rationally is EXACTLY WHAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS.
In fact, Abe Lincoln and many of our founding fathers had atheist leanings.

Answer 6

ABSOLUTELY!
John Adams (the second President of the United States) from a letter to Charles Cushing (October 19, 1756):
"Twenty times in the course of my late reading, have I been upon the point of breaking out, 'this would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it.'"

From Thomas Jefferson's "The Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom":
"Our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions, more than on our opinions in physics and geometry....The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

Answer 7

Of the 55 men who formed the Constitution, 52 were active members of their church. James Madison said, " we've staked our future on our ability to follow the 10 commandments."
In his farewell address, Washington said, "you can't have national morality apart from religious principle." These men believed that you could not even call yourself an American if you subvert the word of God.
I for one, am in awe of our founding fathers and agree wholeheartedly with them that we need God in America.
So therefore, no I would not vote for an atheist.

Answer 8

Absolutely. Even though this country was founded on principles of Protestant belief, there should be no involvement of religion in government. Many of our problems can be derived from religion being used to make policy decisions. If people would look at issues for what they are, use logic, and determine what affect it will have on everyone with a policy change, things would be better off. I don't think this may ever happen due to religion being used as a political platform. What a shame.

Answer 9

I really do not feel a person's religion or lack of it has any bearing on being a good president. Look at the president that spoke to God daily (Bush). He claimed to be a God fearing man. LOL Please, I pray we all do not become so shallow and narrow in our thinking that ones religion or lack of it determines ones ability in being a good president....:) Peace!!

Answer 10

Yes, because anyone's religious beliefs are a private matter. What is important, is honesty and being open-minded. My way or the highway, is not the way to be a leader, and opinionated bigots cause more harm than good.