Who Would You Vote For?

[Sycophant]

This is mainly directed toward the Christian members in here, but of course open to all...

Imagine a presidential primary for your political party of choice, you are presented with two candidates.

They are practically identical in all the ways that you can measure - the same expressed policies, views, values, etc...

The only real difference between the two, in the candidacy at least, is their religious views.

One candidate is Muslim, the other is an atheist.

Having to choose one, based entirely on their religious view, who would you choose?

You may vote now... I am interested to hear comments about why you might be inclined to choose one over the other.



Background:
I've seen it expressed here before that atheists are untrustworthy, as they lack morals. I've also seen it expressed that Muslims cannot hold positions of power as they hold a loyalty to their faith over country.

I do not believe there are any atheists in congress. And there certainly hasn't been an atheist president in the last century.

There is, I believe, one Muslim member of congress.

 

[Sycophant]

My vote is atheist.

In generally I feel an atheist, all things being equal, would be able to provide a more objective level of representation.

 

[Vylo]

If they are that close, I do believe I would vote for the atheist, due to being atheist myself and our scarceness in American political positions.

 

[ElvisFan42]

That's not enough information to choose a nation's leader.

 

[Billnew]

It would be a strike against the athiest.
But I wouldn't make such a big decision on just labels.

An Athiest could be as nice as mother Terressa, just doesn't believe in god.
A Musslim could be a great person, or could be tied to
extremist organizations.
Some of the worst people call themselves Christians.
So labels aren't worth anything, its what the person believes and drives them, as to how good a leader they would make.

 

[Apex]

I would have to see to what extreme they take their personal beliefs. For example I have seen some atheists who would want nothing more then to annihilate all religion from the face of the earth. Yet other atheists would realize that not everyone holds their same beliefs and would keep them out of politics. Also there are extreme Muslims and non-extreme Muslims. If you would of given more info on the extremity of their beliefs that would make it easier to vote.

 

[susanann]

No question at all: Muslim.


For sure!


Atheists are totally unpredictable, they have no set standard from which to evaluate anything, and are responsible to no one. The people would have absolutely no idea how an atheist might behave with new situations and new problems.



Nearly all muslims, probably 99%, believe in God and try to live a peaceful and honorable life, with most values the same as Christians, our bibles are pretty close to each other. Ultimately, the muslim is answerable to God in the final judgement for all his actions on earth and at least trys to behave accordingly.




(the very few extremists who "call" themselves muslims and who engage in terror activity can be compared to similar people who "call" themselves Christians but blow up abortion centers killing everyone inside)

 

[SuddenlyISee]

I put atheist. I was tempted to put that I couldn't decide, because deciding based on religion is ridiculous, but you put that they are exactly the same so it seemed to me that that answer is a cop out. If they are exactly the same except their religion, then that is how you must choose... or, just close your eyes and point to one.

Anyway, I picked the atheist because I've met Christians I didn't think were good people and I've met Muslims who I didn't think were good people, but atheists are consistently good people in my experience. So, if the two candidates are exactly the same except that one point, I would go with the label which I've had the least amount of trouble with.

All that being said- labels are stupid and I really don't think we should discuss candidates religious beliefs. That is personal and should remain so.

 

[Avatar]

All things equal, I'd vote for the atheist. I admit this is largely due to ignorance on my part. I know a lot about atheists (was one) while I know little about muslim beliefs. Better the devil you know... lol

 

[Jacey]

An Athiest could be as nice as mother Terressa, just doesn't believe in god.
A Musslim could be a great person, or could be tied to
extremist organizations.
Some of the worst people call themselves Christians.
So labels aren't worth anything, its what the person believes and drives them, as to how good a leader they would make.

What Bill said...........

 

[Zoomer]

If I had to pick between the two and they were identical in every facet from personality to views..I would probably pick the athiest simply based on the face that I think religion and government should be seperate. Since the athiest doesn't have a religion it should make it much easier to accomplish.

 

[Bleeah]

I would prefer the atheist. Regardless of who is president, I want Constitutional checks and balances and the rule of law.

No question at all: Muslim.


For sure!


Atheists are totally unpredictable, they have no set standard from which to evaluate anything, and are responsible to no one. The people would have absolutely no idea how an atheist might behave with new situations and new problems.



Nearly all muslims, probably 99%, believe in God and try to live a peaceful and honorable life, with most values the same as Christians, our bibles are pretty close to each other. Ultimately, the muslim is answerable to God in the final judgement for all his actions on earth and at least trys to behave accordingly.




(the very few extremists who "call" themselves muslims and who engage in terror activity can be compared to similar people who "call" themselves Christians but blow up abortion centers killing everyone inside)

36% of Young UK Muslims Say Apostates from Islam Should Be Killed

40 percent of the Moroccan youth in the Netherlands reject western values and democracy

UK: University courses on Islam encouraging jihad and Sharia supremacism

40% of Indonesians would wage war for Islam

Susanann, there is no Christian jihadist movement. The Christian Right has condemned the people who have committed acts of violence at abortion centers. We do not support vigilantism, and we are working for change in a lawful manner.

 

[Krysia]

I voted for the Atheist strictly because I firmly believe that politics and religion should be kept separate.

 

[CCGirl]

Athiest, for sure. I can not imagine voting for anyone based on religion.

 

[Ringo84]

I don't make judgments on potential Presidential candidates on the basis of their religion. I'm more interested in whether or not they can effectively run this country. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter whether someone's a Muslim, an atheist, a Christian, or a Buddhist... if they can't effectively run the country, they don't deserve to be elected. Period.
Ringo

 

[Maynard Keenan]

I don't give a flying flip. Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Atheist, I'd vote for any of them if their agenda matches what I think is best for America and if I find them to be intelligent and strong. I'll admit there are religions I'd be biased against. I can't see myself voting for a scientologist.

 

[Bun-Bun]

I voted for atheist, but I probably could go for a Muslim fundy.

Well, anyway, I think it would be funny...

 

[AdmiralBell]

An atheist definitely, they are more likely to be a liberal.

 

[Yusuf Evans]

Personally, I don't see how someone's belief(or lack thereof) in a higher being has very much to do with how they would be a leader.

 

[TheBellman]

Atheists are totally unpredictable, they have no set standard from which to evaluate anything, and are responsible to no one. The people would have absolutely no idea how an atheist might behave with new situations and new problems.

This would be funny if it wasn't so sad.