Would You Vote for an Atheist?

[mccarty]

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[Rochir]

Suppose a popular candidate was running for the presidential office and this candidate shared all of your views on politics and governmental policy but was an atheist.

Would you vote for this candidate? Why or why not?

I ask this because polls show that atheism is an extremely discouraging attribute to many Americans. I'm just curious as to why.

As long as I would agree with the contents of his/her political stances, I sure would vote for an atheist (or Muslim, Buddist, Hundu, Jew, Zaratustrian etc)

 

[Rochir]

No...I believe in separation of church and state. This person, making a point of being an atheist, would be pushing a religious belief. We couldn't trust him not to do what atheists did in China, in Cambodia, in Poland, in Russia, in Albania, in Hungary, in Romania, in East Germany, in Mongolia and in the Ukraine.

 

[David Brider]

Suppose a popular candidate was running for the presidential office and this candidate shared all of your views on politics and governmental policy but was an atheist.

Would you vote for this candidate? Why or why not?

I ask this because polls show that atheism is an extremely discouraging attribute to many Americans. I'm just curious as to why.

If the atheist candidate was the best person for the job, they'd get my vote, no question. Their religious beliefs are less important to me than their ability to do the job they're standing for.

 

[Taure]

The question is couched a bit oddly. It's phrased as if a person's religion (or lack thereof) has no impact on their political stances, when it clearly does.

I'm not sure if it makes sense to talk of an atheist who shares the political positions of the religious right, because for the religious right atheism/religion is part of their politics.

 

[armyman_83]

I agree with Taure that I do not believe one can share my political belief without being religious.

I would not vote for an avowed Atheist.

"Fear that man that fears not God..."--Ahd-el-kader

 

[DaisyDay]

If the atheist candidate was the best person for the job, they'd get my vote, no question. Their religious beliefs are less important to me than their ability to do the job they're standing for.

This.

 

[lawtonfogle]

Suppose a popular candidate was running for the presidential office and this candidate shared all of your views on politics and governmental policy but was an atheist.

Would you vote for this candidate? Why or why not?

I ask this because polls show that atheism is an extremely discouraging attribute to many Americans. I'm just curious as to why.

I find it hard to believe someone would share all my views, as there are some areas I don't have a view in because I have yet decided which side to take (and there are far more than 2 sides to such issues). But they really did, I would.

 

[lawtonfogle]

I agree with Taure that I do not believe one can share my political belief without being religious.

I would not vote for an avowed Atheist.

"Fear that man that fears not God..."--Ahd-el-kader

Would this be because he is an Atheist or because he does not share your views. And what if they really did share you political views?

 

[reverend B]

i can't see why not. whenever i vote for a candidate i am voting for someone that has religious beliefs that are in opposition to a great number of americans. as long as they see the need for a separation of their supernatural beliefs from their legislating in the natural world, i'm cool.

 

[exotic walrus]

Atheist is usually just a cover for homosexual or liberal Muslim socialist so no I would not vote for one.

 

[reverend B]

Atheist is usually just a cover for homosexual or liberal Muslim socialist so no I would not vote for one.

if this is sarcasm, please alert everyone. on these forums, this reads as legitimate.

 

[JustOneWay]

"Fear that man that fears not God..."--Ahd-el-kader

Seems like an odd thing to say about an atheist. How can one fear or not fear something they do not believe
exists?

It would be more accurate if it read:

"Fear that man that fears not what I fear"

 

[xMinionX]

No...I believe in separation of church and state. This person, making a point of being an atheist, would be pushing a religious belief. We couldn't trust him not to do what atheists did in China, in Cambodia, in Poland, in Russia, in Albania, in Hungary, in Romania, in East Germany, in Mongolia and in the Ukraine.

It didn't say anything in the OP about the person making a point of being an atheist. Simply that they are an atheist. One being an atheist does not mean that they must push their lack of religious belief.

 

[JustOneWay]

It didn't say anything in the OP about the person making a point of being an atheist. Simply that they are an atheist. One being an atheist does not mean that they must push their lack of religious belief.

His point reveals its ridiculousness because almost all republicans in Congress make a point of professing their Christianity. I surmise that Voegelin does not vote for republicans....

 

[craigerNY]

If by some remote chance the Atheist in question shares my taste for baby back ribs made from real babies then yes I would vote for that person.

 

[armyman_83]

Would this be because he is an Atheist or because he does not share your views. And what if they really did share you political views?

Mainly for the fact that he is Atheist. I can expect some moral guidlines to be followed and agree with such norms of the Christian, but I cannot willingly elect an avowed Atheist. While he might share my political views without somehow beliving in God, I would be tempted at first to elect such an official. But I cannot believe that one who shows no respect to God can in any way show respect unto voters.

 

[IreneAdler]

Suppose a popular candidate was running for the presidential office and this candidate shared all of your views on politics and governmental policy but was an atheist.

Would you vote for this candidate? Why or why not?

I ask this because polls show that atheism is an extremely discouraging attribute to many Americans. I'm just curious as to why.

I would vote for this person in a heartbeat (do you know how hard it is to find a perfect political candidate?)

I am not big on injecting religion into politics. Provided politicians do not make me do something AGAINST my religion, I'm good with keeping them seperate and not worrying about my reps being "good little Christians".

 

[armyman_83]

Seems like an odd thing to say about an atheist. How can one fear or not fear something they do not believe
exists?

It would be more accurate if it read:

"Fear that man that fears not what I fear"

Not too odd at all really, if one can read the quote as it is meant to be read.

Its talking about trusting godless people, more or less.

The atheist doesn't fear God because he doesn't believe in His exsistance correct? But he is, in fact, aware that there is an "ideal" which people call God.

What is being condemed in the quote--godlessness (lack of "fear of God").

How did you not understand that quote?

"The fool hath said in his heart there is no God." Ps. 14:1

 

[JustOneWay]

Not too odd at all really, if one can read the quote as it is meant to be read.

Its talking about trusting godless people, more or less.

To me, it is silly to not trust a man based solely on his belief in no God. I know many religious people who I dont trust. Actually, at this point I trust the atheist more than the religious man.

The atheist doesn't fear God because he doesn't believe in His exsistance correct? But he is, in fact, aware that there is an "ideal" which people call God.

In other words, "Fear that man that fears not what I fear" I thought I already stated this.... The quote makes no more sense than to say "Fear that man that fears not the boogie man", because I believe in and fear the boogie man.

What is being condemed in the quote--godlessness (lack of "fear of God").

How did you not understand that quote?

I completely understand. The quote is condemning others because they believe not like Ahd-el-kader.

"The fool hath said in his heart there is no God." Ps. 14:1

Then there are ad hominem attacks against an atheist because he does not believe as others.
"The fool hath said in his heart there is no boogie man."