Could an avowed atheist ever be elected president of the US?

Answer 1

In theory yes, in reality no way.

Answer 2

Although I'm a Canadian and NOT religious by any 'stretch', it's for sure that the USA is considered "One Nation Under God".

I don't know how you can deal with that with your constitution. It would be a 'heck' of a challenge, though.

I doubt what with your ways of 'defining' many things(both Dems and Repubs) in relevance to 'God', that anyone being an 'avowed' atheist would stand a chance to be elected 'dogcatcher', let alone president(I mean a little humor, or as a Canadian, I would spell it 'humour' - LOL).

Best - Mark B

'molly....' - You're really GOOD !! Cudos from the 'old guy', as my son 'used' to call me. He doesn't any more - he's 43(LOL).

I didn't(as a Canadian) want to get 'into' the 'fundamentalist' department, which is a 'critical' thing in the USA, regardless of one's political affiliation.

Answer 3

I do not know why not.
It's not like the openly christian presidents we've had showed any great moral or spiritual advantages. Some of the worse and most immoral presidents we've had portrayed themselves as the most religious.
An atheist president could do no worse and would, in all likelihood, do better without the harness of some religious dogma they'd have to fake.

Answer 4

Legally posible, sure. I think history shows us though that fair or not there is a great deal of emphasis put on religious beliefs in getting the nomination for the major parties and then more in winning the election. I could see a shift away from that sensibility in the distant future, but certainly not any time soon. Personally, I don't care what faith you follow or if you don't follow any, you're the best candidate with a platform I support and you'll get my vote.

Answer 5

Considering the fact that there's a great big sign on the Capitol Building that very clearly states IN GOD WE TRUST, I doubt it. The Constitution wants to separate church and state, but the fact of the matter is, an entire state just got together in a prayer circle to pray to God for rain. I'd have trouble seeing an atheist as president telling everyone to stop using the word God and taking it off our currency. Maybe, though, that's what we need. If the atheist president could separate himself from his lack of belief, it might be a good thing. Interesting question.

Answer 6

Could they yes
Will they no

Too many people forget that the religion and state are SUPPOSED to be two seperate things, they always get hung up on what is moral, being atheist means you don't believe in God, not that you don't have a moral consience or rules you live by.

Proud Agnostic

Answer 7

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Answer 8

avowed atheist, why not. I can't remember the last president who lived by christianity, except for rhetoric, and election year booty smooching. All politicians are in practice atheist.

Answer 9

Let's see........Thomas Jefferson was a Deist which was anti-religious. Andrew Johnson was not affiliated with any religion. So, I think it's a possibility that an atheist could be elected, however I don't think they'd be successful in our current climate of Christian fundamentalist extremism.

Answer 10

No... not if he proclaims himself an atheist (more than likely though a politician who seeks the Presidency will say anything to be the president so you will never get a chance to find out... it would be nothing for an atheist to go to church for votes. It might have even happened for all we know).

Answer 11

sure, as long as the person has the support of the American people. The problem is most avowed atheist are closed mined elitist.