Should a persons religious beliefs be a reason not to vote them into a political office like the president?

Question

Mitt Romney is running for president, does his being a mormon affect your decision to consider him for this office. and why should this matter.

Answer 1

I would find it difficult to vote for Romney as President.

The fact that he is a Mormon would make me question his judgment. Anyone who has objectively read all the doctrinal documents of the Mormon leadership would rationally conclude that Mormonism is heretical (non-orthodox) Christianity. That such a person possesses such a flawed objectivity is enough reason for him to not be in a position like the Presidency.

Anyone who thinks religion and public office can be separated is not being intellectually honest.

No one is a neutral explorer of what they consider "facts". Everyone uses their own presuppositions to interpret their reality. Romney, being a Mormon, with all its associated heresies, has a personal worldview (presuppositions) that would make him a less than effective President.

Answer 2

In the case of someone being the sort of person who doesn't care about future planning because they believe the Rapture is coming any day now, then absolutely.

But if someone has personal beliefs that don't interfere or lessen their qualifications or ability to do their duty in whichever office they're running for, then no, it shouldn't be an issue.

Sadly, it is, and many sheep make their political decisions based on religion alone. For example, looking at the statistics, in this country people would sooner vote a black lesbian Jew into office than they would an atheist. Also, none of the founding fathers, if they ran for office today, would have a prayer of winning, with the state this country and its people are in, and the trivial crap they prioritize.

Answer 3

Not exactly, although a person's religion can give you an insight into what he or she believes would be good for the country.

Not that he would run, but I wouldn't vote for Fred Phelps, and his membership in a particular church would be the tipoff that I don't want to.

I'm not voting for Mitt Romney because I don't like his positions on several issues. Does he hold those positions because he is a Mormon? Perhaps, but the relevant question is the issues themselves.

Answer 4

Well, yes. It is rather a conflict of interest to belong to a Church, like LDS, that stockpiles for Nuclear War, and plans on taking over the world as the only valid religion in the world, and also have access to the "button"

Also consider the fact that everyone, except for Mormons, denies the validity of Mormonism. I don't want to put that mindset of denial, and peer pressure in the Oval Office.

Answer 5

A person's religious belief has to be considered, just like all their other beliefs or opinions. Sure a candidate can say, I will do what's good for the people, not my preference, but how much weight does that hold? If the guy was a satanist, would you vote for him? Would you vote for someone with a track record of racist behavior, even though he says I'm sorry?

Answer 6

There are good and bad people in every religion. I think that you should vote for whomever you feel would run your country the best. Obviously Mitt Romney would do a heck of a lot better than your current president.

Answer 7

Well, considering the weakness of Romney's campaign already, it's hard to believe it's going to be even necessary to cast a vote involving him.

In any case, I don't think the U.S. is ready for a president of another faith that Protestant. We're progressing towards more religious tolerance, such as electing our first ever Muslim into the legislative branch, but we've still got a way to go.

Answer 8

It shouldn't be, but since Mitt Romney's party makes such a big deal of Bush supposedly being "Christian", as it does with other members of their party, and "faith-based" this and that, then they have to deal with Mitt Romney's religion as well, which is not accepted as Christian by mainstream Christianity. Tough luck for him and the Republicans. I'm glad he will lose the primary because he's a Mormon.

Answer 9

People asked this about JFK. He managed to do a decent job. I'm atheist, but someone's religion doesn't bother me as long as (s)he is aware of the separation of church and state. Bush said god told him to invade Iraq. That is entirely unacceptable. (Reagan was consulting astrologers and that's even worse.) Bush also believes in creationism. That too is unacceptable.

Faith and and taking comfort in religion is one thing, but ignoring scientific fact out of ignorance is an entirely different matter. I mean, the most powerful man in the western hemisphere believes in the Genesis story?! Come on now. That is just plain wrong.

I also take issue with so many of the candidates stepping over each other to prove to the religious right that they're conservative and believe in "family values". Any person who does that is out the window as far as my vote goes. I used to like McCain, but now he's puckering up for the neocons so now I need to find someone else.

Answer 10

So, we shouldn't elect ANYONE with any religious beliefs? Or just ones with certain religious beliefs?

What about an atheist? A Buddhist? A Hindu?

What about someone who follows witchcraft?

We should only elect White, Anglo-Saxon Protestants for President?