Why would being an atheist make a candidate unelectable?

Question

Why would being an atheist make a candidate unelectable? Seems that Rational thinking of an atheist would be an admirable quality, especially with what we know about religion and it's dwindling likeliness. Fact.....Jesus has no known writings...ever. His execution was not recorded by Pontius Pilate (whom kept detailed records of such things.) Furthermore, noone that wrote the Bible had ever actually met Jesus...It is more possible that he is a mythological god than even ever being a real person. So with this in mind, why is it that our elected officials must be religious in some way or another? Wouldn't that just be asking for an uneducated fool

Answer 1

Considering that you have some of your "facts" skewed I can only comment on the fact that so many voters do believe in the biblical God that an atheist just wouldn't represent the majority. Faith in a higher power fuels most political arenas and the lack of faith, while clear to you, is not a desirable quality in politics...as our current political climate consistently proves.

Answer 2

How great to read an intelligent question for a change.If we look at Jesus and the Bible, we have to accept a lot of what is said, is either fable or fact.The other "F" word here is -Faith.For whatever reason or not these events happened ,we are being asked to be mindful of Order rather than Disorder.To be a Christian suggests formality and correctness.Admirable and neccessary. To be an Atheist is still to believe, but not fully until proven.However many atheists do not conform to civility and courtesy.A quality which is expected with elected officials. Personally it doesn't worry me.But the American government obviously does consider it valid.

Answer 3

The reason is because although being an Atheist is acceptable in US culture, its not acceptable in US culture. there are far more people who believe in some form of a higher power than there will be people who do not. The country would never elect a president who doesn't at least recognize that there is a higher power, because mostly everyone believes in something. So someone saying that they don't recognize a God would raise too many flags not only in the US, but abroad as well.

Answer 4

It doesn't.

So what about Jesus not having "known" writings? Neither do Buddha or Mohammad. You do not say "Hence they never existed".

As to Pilate I haven't researched that. But he recorded the names of everyone who was killed?That seems a little unlikely. Plus he didn't see Jesus as going against any laws of Rome so it seems further unlikely that he would anyway. Pilate was a pretty cruel guy, but around the time Jesus was executed he was in trouble for conspiring with Sejanus, a man who was going against Rome.... Pilate was in a delicate position, you wouldn't expect him to write extensively about the Jews challenging his position in that delicate time. Its something he'd want to sweep under the carpet.

As to the Bible you are entirely wrong. They saw him with their very own eyes.

You should quit getting all your research from online and go to the library yourself.

Answer 5

I really would like to know where you got your information about religion, because my information seems to say the exact opposite. Where did you find that no one who wrote the bible ever met Jesus? Interesting that these excerpts say something different about Pilate and not recording anything. excerpts taken from a papyrus scroll, circa 31AD. "page 131: among the various rumors that came to my ears there was one in paticular that atracted my attention.A young man, it is said, had appeared in Galilee preaching with a noble unction a new law in the name of God that had sent him.t first Iwas apprehensive that his design was to stir up the people against the Romans, but my fears were soon dispelled. .....One day in passing by the place of Siloe, where there was a great concourse of people, I observed in the midst of the group a young man who was leaning against a tree, calmly addressing the multitude. I was told it was Jesus. This I could easily have suspected, so great was the difference between him and those listening to him. His golden-colored hair and beard gave to his appearence a celestial aspect. He appeared to be about thirty years of age. Never have I seen a sweeter or more serne countence......page 133....I wrote to Jesus requesting an interview...He came....When the Nazarene made his appearence..(he) was as calm as innocence itself...and by a signal sign he seemed to say .."I am here" though he spoke not a word....page 141..I have witnesses the furious anger of the multitude...page 142..A loud clamor was heard proceeding from Golgotha, which, ...seemed to anounce an agony such aaas was never heard by mortal ears. Dark clouds lowered over the ...temple..So dreadful were the signs that men saw both in the heavens and on earth that Dionysius ...is reported to have exclaimed"Either the author of nature is suffering or the universe is falling apart"...page 145...(the sentry) said that ...they saw a soft and beautiful light over the sepulchre.....behold the whole place was lighted up, and there seemed to be crowds of the dead in their graveclothes...shouting and filled with ectasy, while all around and above was the most beautiful music he had ever heard; and the whole air seemed to be full of voices praises of God"
But I could debate your notions for a long time but I don't have the time.
Why would I not vote for an atheist, because of the fact that there is a higher regard for someone of faith. Why would an atheist, who sees death as the end give a crap about anyone but himself? Granted there are those of faith who fall short of this higher standard, but still they will be accountable.

Answer 6

You are missing the point. Elections are popularity contests. The majority of American are Christian. Therefore, the popular vote will more than likely be cast for someone who the majority feels will represent their core beliefs. If the people voted for the most qualified, God knows they wouldn't have voted for GW Bush. Atheists are a very small portion of the US populace.

"The E'Ville Librarian"

Answer 7

Faithlessness is a weakness, not a virtue.

You seem to take a roundabout way to call Christians uneducated and foolish. In my mind, that just seems petty and immature.

You judge my belief in a celestial higher power by earthly standards that cannot possibly apply or be relevant to God, and you think I am a fool?

Things that make ya go Hmmmm.......

We'll see how it all turns out at Armageddon, my friend. Good Luck then, you'll need that and more!

Answer 8

If you elect your leaders based on religious beliefs, then you are the foolish. A non religious person can be elected, but so far that is what we have elected, I would like to think, the most qualified wins. Although this time around it may not have been the case.

Answer 9

It shouldn't make a candidate unelectable. The same way the fact that a candidate is a Christian shouldn't make them unelectable. I don't think religion, race or sex should have any bearing on who's elected into office.

Answer 10

Obviously who have not been following the news very carefully.

A recent poll showed that over 50% of the US population would in fact vote for a non-religious person.

Now, as to your claims against Christianity, the historical record proves you wrong. His life, ministry, execution, and resurrection are historical facts written about by not just his followers but also of his opponents and critics. There is eyewitness testimony of his resurrection, recorded at a time that the witnesses could still have been questioned by critics. Your statements have been made over and over again and refuted over and over again.