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An atheist candidate
azstrummer — (archived)

wouldn't make it through the first primary. There's a huge voter distaste for any non-Christian candidate. The best I can hope for it a closeted atheist and to tell you the truth, I think Obama is probably the most likely candidate for that considering his parent's views on religion.

Unfortunately, our system requires any candidate to play the game, go to some church, and pretend to believe in its tenets. I'm pretty certain that this phenomena doesn't only exist in politics but all aspects of life including business and social functions. Try joining the Boy Scouts these days as an atheist.

How many atheists and agnostics just smile and nod their heads in the office or at parties when the topic becomes some Christian theme?

I've always said that I believe it very likely that many ministers and priests also are often closeted atheists and agnostics based on the fact that their very studies which help prepare them for their profession also help enlighten the inconsistencies and very human politics that created their faith in the first place. I however understand fully why they might stay within the church even if their faith has eroded because of the potential good they can do for individuals and community.

Wouldn't it be refreshing some day though for a candidate for the highest office in the land to be able to discuss this issue freely without losing most of the electorate.

By the way, even though Carter was certainly a fundamentalist Christian, he worked diligently to ensure the mixing of religion and politics was never done and extolled the virtues of the separation.

Art

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