Poll: Would you vote for an otherwise qualified candidtate if he or she were an atheist?

Yay atheist!

Why wouldn't I?

that's pretty much my reaction.

Although I'd be even more interested in a candidtate who refused to answer any questions about their religion/lack-of-religion.

The majority of Americans wouldn't, which is what inspired me to submit this poll.

I guess my only hope for getting elected is that they would vote for an unqualifed atheist.

If the person was one of those atheists who condemned people who were theists, I would say no. Why? That would affect their decisions just as much as the right winged Christians allow their evangelical ways to effect their jobs and put "moral" issues in place of REAL issues.

I personally think that if you're theist or no, you should keep your personal religion out of your job. It really shouldn't matter, and yet, to so many people, it does. If the candidate was an atheist, but was like, "Whatever, I don't believe in a god, let's talk about social security," I'd be okay with that. As long as they don't rub it in our faces.

Hmm....I counted "non-condemning of others" under "qualified"...but I guess that might have been overly optimistic.

No, I did as well.

I mean, I would think if the person could be called "qualified" their values would be acceptable to you.

yeah, I considered it that, too.

but I also have a slight bias, and I don't know that I wouldn't overlook the condemnation of others coming from someone who shared my basic views on the subject, if they were otherwise otherwise qualified.

True, I dislike zealots of any persuasion, but it's entirely possible that I just wouldn't notice in this case. Much the same way some Christians probably don't notice that the candidates they're voting for are extremists, because they otherwise agree with the person's faith and other values.

I dunno, I just thought qualified was one of those things that was very objective (had the right experience, etc) as opposed to subjective.

I guess it's hard to be objective about what makes a candidate qualified. Because the actual objective qualifications are usually just being old enough and being a citizen and such...most of the rest is up to the voter.

Because of the qualifying statement "otherwise qualified". Everyone knows my political views, so it wouldn't matter if the person I found qualified for the position worshiped a bag of nuts.

Besides, Article VI specifically states that "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." So why should it be required for my vote?

Now, if an atheist were running who did not agree with my basic moral principles (not necessarily religious based), I would vote against that person because of the morals, not their religious views.

I don't believe that the ruler of the "free world" should use his/her beliefs in an afterlife or a diety as a tool in making their decisions. What is it saying to the populace that either 1: believe in another religion, or 2. are offendwe by the whole sepertaion between church and state?
at least with an atheist, you have someone making decisions based on moral laws and whatnot.

If I vote for people who are practitioners of other religions that I don't believe in (and indeed I suspect that is true of practically everyone I've ever voted for) why would I have a problem voting for an atheist?

I don't think I'd vote for a satanist, but that is merely because of what that choice says about their ideas. Just like I wouldn't vote for a bible thumping born again christian. Religion isn't a problem, but I don't vote for whackos!

Satanist? Is there some recognized Satanic church?

(Yeah, there was Anton LaVey's Church of Satan, but they were more humanists than anything)

just because nobody did else has.

i would like to vote yes, but SOMEONE has to represent the Ignorant Party!

i would, if i could vote. here's why:
religion has no part of it, obviously. i mean, it does if it gets in the way of them doing their job correctly, but as someone said, that would go under qualified.
example- i don't care what religion, george w. bush is, for example. i just don't trust him, period.

I think I should run for president of Frudonia.
oO All hail Frudonia Oo

Is it Population: Tire?

No, that's Strongbadia.

We are at war with Slambovia. We have always been at war with Slambovia.

Isn't that a Marx Brothers routine?

Yes it is,well almost, in Duck Soup the country is Freedonia.

SUNY Freeeeeeeedonia