Can a non believer be elected (Christ, America, atheist, agnostic) - Atheism and Agnosticism - - City-Data Forum

PDD · 11-10-2010, 07:57 AM

to high public office?

I don't know if it has been discussed here before but I was just thinking that I would be more comfortable with a professed non believer politician who could come up with good ideas/solutions.
Not that I would vote for somebody just because they were a non believer.
I am sure I have voted for some that were faux believers.
I just find it disturbing that some politicians might be asking for Gods help in problem solving.

Georgiafrog · 11-10-2010, 08:00 AM

Probably not. It would have no effect on my vote either way, but the majority of American's believe in a higher power of some sort or another, and most that do regard that belief to be of the highest importance.

achickenchaser · 11-10-2010, 08:20 AM

Only if he/she were to lie about their beliefs.

It's very possible there are some closet non-believers in Washington right now.

Georgiafrog · 11-10-2010, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achickenchaser

Only if he/she were to lie about their beliefs.

It's very possible there are some closet non-believers in Washington right now.

Probable. Some of those Television Evangelists are remarkably good at faking it. Add the profession of politician to that.

Pretzelogik · 11-10-2010, 08:22 AM

Me thinketh he already has.

mommabear2 · 11-10-2010, 02:08 PM

I believe it's been polled in the 90 percentile range that an atheist/agnostic could not be elected to public office (so, he/she would have to officially change their view AFTER getting elected which, if I remember correctly, was the case for an Australian politician).

I honestly don't know why being an atheist would be a political hinderance. I can only speculate that there is a deep bias towards non-believers regardless of their capabilities or accomplishments which is sad and truly pathetic at best.

mgt04 · 11-10-2010, 04:23 PM

Yeah I believed it was polled where American's would rather elect a Muslim than an atheist...as appalling as that sounds.

Fullback32 · 11-10-2010, 04:31 PM

It depends. If it someone who publicly states that they are a no kidding non-believer, probably not. That being said, I think we've had plenty of non-believer politicians - even in the White House. It's just that they've never made it a matter of public record.

dpi-vic · 11-10-2010, 06:23 PM

Short answer: No. It seems all politicians must profess christianity to be elected in the US.

As for their attribution of ideas - well, if they are good ideas I don't care if the politician wants to give credit to an imaginary guy in the sky. Just do something for the country you claim to love, and stop suckling at the corporate teat.

mythunderstood · 11-10-2010, 08:09 PM

Congressman Pete Stark is an atheist. There are also more members of congress who are listed as "unaffiliated" for their religion which could be "code" for being secretly atheist.