• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Vote for an atheist president (for religious people)

Would you vote for an atheist president with your views?

  • Yes, I would, his beliefs shouldn't matter

    Votes: 52 89.7%
  • No, he needs to believe in God, even if he agrees with me

    Votes: 6 10.3%

  • Total voters
    58

MadLib

monstrous vermin
DP Veteran
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Messages
6,248
Reaction score
2,439
Location
Upstate New York
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Liberal
I wanted to see if religious people would vote for a president who shared all of his views on politics (excepting the religious points of social conservatism) but didn't believe in God.

Discuss
 
Sadly I think that an openly athiest president wouldn't be electable in the near future, even if he was overly-qualified for the position there are too many superstitious folks for that to happen.
 
As long as he doesn't represent the same closed minded views that I read from most atheist's on the internet I would.

I'm not sure why others concern themselves over the religious beliefs (or lack thereof) of others.
 
A president's religious beliefs do matter to me, but nowhere near as much as his political platform.

Voted yes.
 
Unfortunately people are afraid of "the faithless" as atheists are often called. It is the unknown that scares them. Religion gives them something to believe in, they believe it is not unknown because it is hammered into them that it is truth, not unknown.
 
I couldn't care less about the religious beliefs of politicians as long as they don't bring it into their politics. I would have no problem voting for an atheist.
 
Assuming they did share what I wanted from a President, I would vote for an atheist.
 
As long as he doesn't represent the same closed minded views that I read from most atheist's on the internet I would.

I'm not sure why others concern themselves over the religious beliefs (or lack thereof) of others.

Exactly, it would depend. If he/she was as crazy antagonistic to religion as I've seen some (I do disagree that it's "most") be here, than no.
 
I couldn't care less about the religious beliefs of politicians as long as they don't bring it into their politics. I would have no problem voting for an atheist.

People use all sorts of things to inform their political policies. Liberals and conservatives both, in a sense, try to "force" their policies onto others who are unwilling. For example, liberals concerned about climate change want to use the force of law to make people conform to what they believe. How is religion any different than that?
 
I wish every candidate answered questions about his religious beliefs with "that's private, and it's not germane".
 
People use all sorts of things to inform their political policies. Liberals and conservatives both, in a sense, try to "force" their policies onto others who are unwilling. For example, liberals concerned about climate change want to use the force of law to make people conform to what they believe. How is religion any different than that?

Because you can at least try to argue logically against their positions, with religion you can't.
 
Because you can at least try to argue logically against their positions, with religion you can't.

Any belief can be taken to a fanatical extreme. By the same token, there are religious beliefs that can be quite moderate. In fact, Obama has used the religious argument to support his position on social programs.
 
Last edited:
I don't care if their an atheist, but it would be hard for me to vote for someone that opposes all of my social views. From my perspective the question is asking "would you vote for someone that shares all beliefs with you accept your social views?"
 
Any belief can be taken to a fanatical extreme. By the same token, there are religious beliefs that can be quite moderate.

I'm not talking about extremism, I'm saying that a religious belief when argued can always fall back on, well it's my faith, it's my belief, and nothing you say can change that. While with any other belief, or position, you can't do that.
 
I'm not talking about extremism, I'm saying that a religious belief when argued can always fall back on, well it's my faith, it's my belief, and nothing you say can change that. While with any other belief, or position, you can't do that.

Sure you can. People do it all the time, and religious people are quite capable of changing their minds about things, while maitaining their religious beliefs. Sorry YourStar. You've chosen a whisper thin argument to hang your anti-religion (in politics) hat on.
 
Sure you can. People do it all the time, and religious people are quite capable of changing their minds about things, while maitaining their religious beliefs. Sorry YourStar. You've chosen a whisper thin argument to hang your anti-religion (in politics) hat on.

Let me clarify, they can do that, but they wont be taken seriously anymore, and you can point to that, while if you try to do that to a person using religion as their argument, you get called a bigot.

For example trying to argue with a Muslim that pork and alcohol are fine for your health in moderation and posting medical statistics, and expert testimony to that effect still wont convince them.
 
I wanted to see if religious people would vote for a president who shared all of his views on politics (excepting the religious points of social conservatism) but didn't believe in God.

Discuss


I might, if he were the best of the available choices.

OTOH if there were two candidates who were equally good, but one was atheist and the other was of my general religion (Christian), then I'd be inclined to vote for the candidate that was more like me... of course.
 
Let me clarify, they can do that, but they wont be taken seriously anymore, and you can point to that, while if you try to do that to a person using religion as their argument, you get called a bigot.

For example trying to argue with a Muslim that pork and alcohol are fine for your health in moderation and posting medical statistics, and expert testimony to that effect still wont convince them.


Ok, to sum up, you oppose religion in politics because some people might call you a bigot? Good grief, that's been happening to Obama's detractors since he's taken office.
 
Ok, to sum up, you oppose religion in politics because some people might call you a bigot? Good grief, that's been happening to Obama's detractors since he's taken office.

No, I'm against religion in politics because you can't prove a religious belief, if you are going to make a law you need to prove that it will help, and that the problem is real.
 
I wanted to see if religious people would vote for a president who shared all of his views on politics (excepting the religious points of social conservatism) but didn't believe in God.

Discuss
If you mean a presidential candidate that believe all or mostly what I believe but just didn't believe in God then yes I would vote for him. If he is one of those pricks that mocks religious beliefs,has a problem with ten commandment monuments/plaques and Christmas plays, wants to change Christmas trees and parades to Holiday trees and parades,thinks crosses should be removed from war memorials and sorts of other fanatical atheists nonsense then no I would not vote for him.
 
I'm not what you would probably consider a *religious* person, although I have very reverent personal moral beliefs. If an atheist ran for president, and I believed his moral fiber was strong and true, I would happily vote for him, assuming I thought his policies and political stances were compatible with my own.
 
If you mean a presidential candidate that believe all or mostly what I believe but just didn't believe in God then yes I would vote for him. If he is one of those pricks that mocks religious beliefs,has a problem with ten commandment monuments/plaques and Christmas plays, wants to change Christmas trees and parades to Holiday trees and parades,thinks crosses should be removed from war memorials and sorts of other fanatical atheists nonsense then no I would not vote for him.
What if he was pro-SSM and thought that evolution should be taught in a science class?

I don't think it should matter if he mocks religious beliefs but if he goes all PETA on religious people then I'd understand. However not wanting Ten Commandments in a public school is reasonable.
 
People use all sorts of things to inform their political policies. Liberals and conservatives both, in a sense, try to "force" their policies onto others who are unwilling. For example, liberals concerned about climate change want to use the force of law to make people conform to what they believe. How is religion any different than that?

So, you are comparing belief in climate change to belief in religion? You cannot really compare the two...One you can prove/disprove, the other is Religion
 
would I vote for an atheist?... it's possible, but probably not... it depends on how militant he is about his atheism and how he feels about other peoples religion.
Atheists who are fair and reasonable towards religion are few and far between.
 
So, you are comparing belief in climate change to belief in religion? You cannot really compare the two...One you can prove/disprove, the other is Religion

I'm not just comparing it, I'm saying it's the exact same thing. People act on their morals, beliefs, ethics, whatever, all the time. Acting on religious beliefs is no different and no worse than anything else that requires a little faith to believe in, like global warming.
 
Back
Top Bottom