If a presidential candidate admitted they were Atheist would they have any chance of winning?

[texan1]

If a presidential candidate (not neccessarily in this election, but any) were to be honest about the fact that they did not attend church and/or they were agnostic or atheist, do you think they would have any chance of winning the nomination? My personal feeling is that they would not, but I was curious as to what people thought about that.

 

[Dunemeister]

I agree, texan1. Snowballs will litter heaven first.

 

[Escéptico]

Not a chance.

The term 'atheism' is still synonymous in the American cultural lexicon with 'amorality.' As a candidate for president in the 80's, Bush Sr. made a comment that atheists are not even Americans:

"[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And this was at a press conference at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, not some fundamentalist rally. Can you imagine any other group being condemned in public like that, completely without outrage or repercussions? Atheists are the last out-group, folks.

This isn't to say that politicians are all believers, though. They just realize that in the USA, they're expected to pay lip service to God and religious belief if they want to be viable candidates.
[/FONT]

 

[Storm]

If a presidential candidate (not neccessarily in this election, but any) were to be honest about the fact that they did not attend church and/or they were agnostic or atheist, do you think they would have any chance of winning the nomination? My personal feeling is that they would not, but I was curious as to what people thought about that.

6 months ago, I would've said a black man or a woman wouldn't have a chance of winning the nomination. I'm a pessimist.

 

[Starfish]

I wouldn't vote for an athiest candidate. However, I'm not picky about the religion--Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and even Muslim (with some close scrutiny). I want my president praying to God for guidance.

 

[Reverend Rick]

An Athesist does not have a chance in hell of being elected President. I cannot believe how much negative attention was given to Mitt Romney who is a religious man.

 

[MoonWater]

I wouldn't vote for an athiest candidate. However, I'm not picky about the religion--Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and even Muslim (with some close scrutiny). I want my president praying to God for guidance.

But Buddhists don't really "pray to God". Heck they don't even really believe in a God. And which God do you want them to pray to. You say your not picky about the religion so I would assume you'd be ok with someone who prays to Zeus for guidance, or how about Selene the moon Goddess, or what if they prayed to Lucifer(seeing him as a god)? Also how would "praying to God" make someone a better presidential candidate, why is it so important? What makes a religious president or a prayerful president better than an atheist president or a non-prayerful president?

 

[MoonWater]

You know I'm curious to see what people would think about this question in terms of a braoder scope. Not just Atheists, does anyone here think anyone who isn't christian or Muslim(because obama seems to have a pretty good chance of winning the nomination) whould have a chance at winning the nomination, what about the election? Which religions do you think stand the best chance(other than Christian or muslim)? Do you think people would vote for someone who is openly Pagan or luciferian, etc.?

P.S. I don't want to be responsible for taking this thread of track but I thought this was a relevant question to ask. However, Texan01, if you wish I can start another thread if you want this discussion to remain about Atheist presidential candidates only.

 

[Storm]

Obama is not a Muslim.

 

[Sunstone]

If a presidential candidate (not neccessarily in this election, but any) were to be honest about the fact that they did not attend church and/or they were agnostic or atheist, do you think they would have any chance of winning the nomination? My personal feeling is that they would not, but I was curious as to what people thought about that.

I'm not going to vote for anyone who eats babies and prays to the Devil.

 

[Starfish]

But Buddhists don't really "pray to God". Heck they don't even really believe in a God. And which God do you want them to pray to. You say your not picky about the religion so I would assume you'd be ok with someone who prays to Zeus for guidance, or how about Selene the moon Goddess, or what if they prayed to Lucifer(seeing him as a god)? Also how would "praying to God" make someone a better presidential candidate, why is it so important? What makes a religious president or a prayerful president better than an atheist president or a non-prayerful president?

Well maybe I should have been more specific. A candidate who belongs to some unusual religion, would motivate my learning more about their religion to better understand them, and probably some religions might drive away my vote. But I believe most religions pray to a god, and my god is understanding enough to recognize their sincerity, and answer their prayers.

 

[MoonWater]

Obama is not a Muslim.

He's not.

 

[Sunstone]

...my god is understanding enough to recognize their sincerity....

I certainly hope he doesn't recognize the sincerity of atheists. That would just be wrong.

 

[MoonWater]

Well maybe I should have been more specific. A candidate who belongs to some unusual religion, would motivate my learning more about their religion to better understand them, and probably some religions might drive away my vote. But I believe most religions pray to a god, and my god is understanding enough to recognize their sincerity, and answer their prayers.

k, but that does not address my other questions.

"Also how would "praying to God" make someone a better presidential candidate, why is it so important? What makes a religious president or a prayerful president better than an atheist president or a non-prayerful president?"

edit: and what kinds of religions would drive you away? And I've never heard the idea that the Christian God would answer the prayers of people who pray to other Gods. Does he only do that with presidents or is it with anyone? And if he answers prayer regardless of religion why would it be so important to be part of any one religion in particular?

 

[Storm]

He's not.

Nope, but there's a smear campaign out there saying that he is.

 

[Autodidact]

I wouldn't vote for an athiest candidate. However, I'm not picky about the religion--Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and even Muslim (with some close scrutiny). I want my president praying to God for guidance.

Yeah, like Osama Bin Laden; a Godly man.

 

[MoonWater]

Nope, but there's a smear campaign out there saying that he is.

But didn't he say he wanted to get sworn in on the Qu'ran? Or is that part of the smear campaign too? if he's not muslim then what religion is he and how did this smear campaign get started?

 

[Halcyon]

Nope, but there's a smear campaign out there saying that he is.

That's a very bigoted base on which to build a smear.

 

[Storm]

But didn't he say he wanted to get sworn in on the Qu'ran? Or is that part of the smear campaign too? if he's not muslim then what religion is he and how did this smear campaign get started?

He's a Christian. You didn't hear all the noise over his pastor?

I don't know about the Qu'ran thing.

 

[Storm]

That's a very bigoted base on which to build a smear.

Couldn't agree more.