Do you think an atheist or agnostic will ever be President of the United States?

Question

It's pretty much campaign suicide if a candidate says they are not religious. Why is that, and will it ever change?

Answer 1

There is an old saying, "There are no athiests in foxholes." Someone who lives under fire is likely to get religion of some sort even if not religious when elected. I do not believe religion or lack of same impacts one's ability to govern. As with all things, religion should not be a factor in running the country. Ethics, which may stem from a religious tradition, family or common sense is what truly matters.

Answer 2

Sure, it will happen- but not in this current social climate.

Each generation is less bound by tradition & religion than the on which preceded it. Back in 1950's the influence of church in American social life was much greater than today. Many aspects of human biology, physics etc were great mysteries back then- and science has long since solved them.

This trend continues naturally, for the more knowledge than mankind has amassed, the less likely we are to seek supernatural explanations. The people who saw television, radio etc invented don't view them as divine miracles, which someone in 17th century Europe probably would have.

Just 50 years ago, there was a huge stigma in this country against interracial marriage- today it doesn't even raise an eyebrow. So social progress is slow, but it continues nonetheless.

So agnostics are increasing in number each passing day, and given a couple of generations? The minority will be the majority. And many things we wonder about today will be taken for granted.

Answer 3

There is separation of church and state. Thus, it is possible that an atheist or agnostic might become a US President in 2008.

VOTE for your choice as US president on my 360 degrees blog and know who will likely win.

Answer 4

Its because most people in this country are religious. They are taught (by religion) that people without a religion are evil and immoral. Granted, most of the government is evil and immoral, but people like the idea of TRYING to vote good people into office.

Unless more people leave the churches, then no.

Answer 5

Because there are so many religious nuts in this country, who've managed to convince themselves that God is a necessary element. I think an atheist/agnostic leader may be the best thing that could happen for us. Maybe we would be able to focus on improving the lives of our people, rather than "Oh my God, them queers wanna get married, an' some peeplz wanna kill fetuses!" We need to mind our own business, and shift our attention toward matters that actually impact people other than those directly involved in the given matter. We have a mentality far too similar to that of a talk show audience. Judgemental, invasive, and ignorant.

Answer 6

Now for another question from Jeopardy: Who is Bill Clinton?

P.S. Abraham Lincoln was an agnostic going into office, and left a very religious man.

Answer 7

Not an admitted one. One the other it is believed that some weren't very religious or even atheist or agnostic but pretended otherwise. Lincoln is one of them.

Answer 8

I can't speak for others but I am much more comfortable with a leader who has a strong moral foundation & who has the humility to acknowledge a higher power. Slick Willie is an Autotheist, does that count?

Answer 9

There would have been a closeted atheist yet not an outspoken one I choose u.s. might have a candidate who claims to be Christian and then ingredients u.s. 4 incredibly sturdy years earlier announcing "yeah... i'm an atheist"

Answer 10

People would rather elect the Christian village idiot than the atheist rocket scientist... I know because I asked this question in R&S.