And yes, I'm asking if that ONE particular characteristic will influence your vote.
2007-05-20 16:50:29 · 51 answers · asked by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If the candidate were, like myself, a Humanist, but I knew that he did not respect separation of church and state and wanted to abolish all religions, I would not vote for him. In fact, I'd feel it a moral obligation to work to publicize his views in order to see him defeated.
If his opponent were a Muslim who had shown that she understands and respects that one of America's foundation stones is religious freedom, acknowledged the importance of separation of church and state, and were in all other respects qualified, I would vote for her.
In short, I would never vote for an atheist just because he is an atheist, just as I would never vote for a white man just because he is white or a woman just because she's a woman. A candidate should be chosen on qualifications, commitment, and issues.
2007-05-20 17:09:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Being Atheist would not influence my vote except that I would be inclined to think that the candidate wouldn't be running off to war as quickly or giving tax money to churches. I also might think them to be intelligent and morally sound. Those things would indeed influence me to vote for them.
2007-05-21 08:14:32 · answer #2 · answered by Sun: supporting gay rights 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it would make me more likely to vote for them. An open atheist will have a strong moral compass that's based on reasoned consideration of what's good for us human beings here and now, in this world, rather than on untestable supernatural beliefs.
Petrarch thinks only the "exceptional" atheist would believe in the value of life and morality. Actually, life is MORE valuable for one who doesn't believe in a heaven and hell, since this life is all there is; one won't experience posthumous reward or punishment, or compensation for life's injustice, in a Secret Magical Place. Ergo, when things are wrong, we need to make things better here and now. There's no second chance.
Heather Straight Edge asks "why do [atheists] care if someone is [practicing religion,] doing something they would consider wasting time...?" It matters when religionists seek to curtail our freedom in the name of religion.
2007-05-20 17:42:00 · answer #3 · answered by Consider This... 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It depends.
I'm a Christian, but I might be more likely to vote for someone who is honest about their beliefs instead of playing a role to win votes. If a candidate openly admits that they have no religious affiliation, it could be a sign that they may be more honest about other things in their campaign. After all, since 85% of American is Christian, it would be much easier to hide that fact for the sake of your career.
However, that bit of honesty wouldn't land them my vote if they held views that opposed my own on most of the issues.
2007-05-20 16:57:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Definitely yes, and I just as definitely would never vote for anyone who calls himself a fundamentalist since that means he is certifiably crazy.
Some day having any kind of religion will rightly label someone as mentally or emotionally suspect, and more than likely unfit for any kind of public office (George Bush already fits this description to a Great Big Capital 'T').
2007-05-20 16:57:36 · answer #5 · answered by hznfrst 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It would depend on where he stood with the issues . I dont vote for people because of their religion or lack of. I vote for the person who I think will do the better job at doing what is best for America
2007-05-20 16:56:11 · answer #6 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I'd have to see what their value systems were.
Anyone who defames the integrity of the office of the President is not a good person.
Nixon, who in hind site was a pretty good President, abused it and deserved to be driven from office.
Johnson did what we felt was right and to back it up refused to run again.
Clinton did a decent job but he brought the integrity of the office to a low point.
Bush showes us why his companies failed.
One must take the view of Dr. Peter into account.
2007-05-20 17:18:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
most people are not what they claim anyways, I know people that "claim" to be Christan's but their fruits tell you they are not, so if I voted for someone based on religion and they turned out to not to be one what would I have then?
better to vote on their political points of view rather then religion.
if I agree with their point of view yes if not NO.
2007-05-20 16:58:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, not just that one.
His attitude about it might however. For example, if he wanted to ban all religions, that would definitely influence my vote.
2007-05-20 16:59:00 · answer #9 · answered by Flop Mucket 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would hopefully base my vote on the candidate's overall views with that being one of many deciding factors.
2007-05-20 17:03:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋