mormon president?
That point has come up before, however there are issues with it. One is that there is no evidence that atheists as a group make "better" leaders then non-atheists. Furthermore, atheists themselves, while certainly trending leftward in the United States, do not hold to one single "default" position or value on any one issue except rejection of religion. In fact, I have seen certain conservative atheists bloggers in the past somewhat positive views on organized religion (although I would certainly guess such people are in the sharp minority).
In regards to Mitt Romney, other then objections to his religion (which apparently many non-atheists share), it can hardly be stated the man is not an accomplished, and intelligent person. I personally don't see the need to focus on his religion unless people think it will seriously effect his ability to be President.
Oh course, it is statements such as these that make it less likely for Atheists to get elected to high office in the first place. Keep in mind more then 90% off Americans claim to believe in God. The people who are identified in the press are atheist intellectuals essentially say many of the same things. When this occurs, this causes even many moderately religious people to react negatively, and, once again, question whether atheists in general are willing to respect America's religious institution.
For the record, not all American presidents have equally religious. Indeed, Woodrow Wilson was more public with his religiosity then George W. Bush, although I would suppose it was more accepted then. Ronald Reagan didn't attend services weekly while he was at the White House. Richard Nixon certainly didn't abide by the exact tenants of the traditions of his Quaker faith.
The press has made this more of an issue in recent elections, although in certain past elections (1960, 1928) it played a part.
ADDENDUM: Oh, 1976, as well. Jimmy Carter was, largely, hailed by new Christian Conservative movement. Carter, of course, was a born again Christian and ran a conservative campaign against, among other things, "corrupt Washington officials." In 1980 the mostly turned against him and backed Reagan.
ADDENDUM II: I don't want to seem as if I am spouting party line stuff or something. There are lots of religious individuals that have objectionable beliefs. Most of the rejection of Mitt Romney, and this is just a guess, comes from fundamentalists Christians. I also think that some Christians saying they won't vote for Rudy Guiliani solely because he was had affairs, and may well have been a terrible husband doesn't make allot of sense (I also think it is questionable from a Christian standpoint).
I do agree that Mormonism is a farce though. It was proven that there weren't Jews in South America....Scientology is even worse though. Better a Mormon than a Scientologist in my opinion...
IT'S A FACT!:
people feel more comfortable voting for: a woman; a black person; a jewish person; someone of any ethnicity other than white; or a gay person all above voting for an atheist.
we live in a f****d up country with f****d up ideas about government.
IT'S A FACT!
(it's also a fact that mormonism is a farce and so is scientology)
Then you must unlearn what you have learned. Because "freedom of religion" - as outlined in the first amendment - means nothing of the sort. It means that the government does not have the right to declare a state religion (or, more precisely, by the Founding Fathers' meaning of the term, a state denomination).
And what nonsense is it to say that just because a man of a particular religion is elected to office, that he will be "free to implement religion in government"? The President is not a dictator (no matter what conspiracy whackjobs will have you believe of Bush); he does not have the power to institute whatever religious tenets he believes in, into law.
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18:33. Press 'Return'
Last edited by JonnyBGoode on 16 May 2007, 1:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
Actually, not state denomination specifically, there were several states (the last, I believe being Massachusetts) that maintained official state religions until the early 19th century. It is now generally accepted by constitutional scholars (with some exceptions) that the Bill of Rights supersedes (by a later amendment) state constitutions and hence there can no longer be state level religions.
In regards to a religious test, as applied it merely means there is no bar to any person of any religion (or lack of it) from running. If the people want to decide not to vote for someone because they don't like the fact they are a Mormon, or they are an Atheist, or they are a Catholic (which figured more in 1928 then in 1960), then there is nothing in the Constitution says about it; nor as a practicable matter really can there be.
Last edited by jimservo on 15 May 2007, 6:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'm not so sure about that. Taft seems pretty confident in his faith (his beliefs seemed vaguely similar to fellow Unitarian Adams presidents), at least based on what I now. I would go with Madison, Jefferson, or maybe even Theodore Roosevelt. But still, it's debatable.
From The Complete Guide of U.S. Presidents by DeGregorio
People seem to forget that quiet a few of our founding fathers were atheist. Thomas Jefferson for example.
But I don't think people can get out of the mindset of a monarchy, since humans naturally are inclined towards that type of rule. That your salvation is dependent upon your ruler. That if an atheist is president then god will no longer bless us. oh poo. haha. When I found out that this guy in my class supported Bush because he goes to church, I was appauled. Also I think that religion is just a cheap way to convince people that you have values and morals. "See I go to church, therefore I have morals and believe and honor what ever the church stands for." But for an atheist, people would just say because he doesn't believe in god or christ that he can't be as compassionate or have the values they think god can only give or that jesus can only give. So they have to work ten times as hard to prove they are just as moral when a religion person just has to say they go to church or believe in god.