Primary Place Online

Atheists rely upon their intellect to judge right and wrong. Thus, they can change that judgment at anytime with any intellectual argument they choose. While morals and mores are not necessarily based upon religion, the belief that there is some power, something more insightful judging our behavior leads to the likelihood of less abuse of this "judgment" process. Namely, limitations. As for the comment of “old fashioned” regarding the separation of church and state, refer to the quote of one of our founding fathers."It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage, and such only, as he believes to be acceptable to him. This duty is precedent both in order of time and degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society. Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe."

Those who answered the question here seem to be willing to vote for an atheist, but in a recent Pew Poll 61% of Americans said they would not vote for an Atheist for president.  Are all those voters in other states?  Or just not on the Primary Place blog? Or not willing to respond to this question?

I absolutely am less likely to vote for someone who makes a big deal about his/her religious beliefs.  A person's belief or lack thereof in 'God' is very individual and unique to that person.  Assuming that one's belief is shared or should be shared by others is rather ignorant, and makes me question that person's intelligence, and certainly makes me wonder about their tolerance. 

I am far more interested in a person's integrity and intelligence and kindness than I am in his or her religion. 

I am aggravated when asked in online polls if I consider myself a fundamentalist or evangelical Christian when I say I am a Republican.  Yes, I am a fundamentalist Christian.  What does that predict about how I will vote?  It is not why I vote Republican. I am more concerned about individual freedoms, states rights (Live Free or Die, New Hampshire!), and a federal government focused on national security.  Do these polls ask Democrats if they are fundamentalist Christians?  This religion focus on the right has gotten way too much emphasis by the press.  I find it has taken time away from more serious questioning during candidate interviews and debates.  It may give me an insight into the candidate, but it has no effect on how I vote.

I absolutely agree that there ought to be a separation between Church and State when it comes to official law.  That is, codified law should not deal with religious matters and its rational cannot be solely religious.  That said, it is useful to know the religious persuasion of a candidate.  It gives us a window into his set of morals that one might not be able to get with an atheist.  I think public officials can draw on their religion when they are faced with difficult questions of no easy answer.  However, it cannot be the only motivator for their actions.  It is another resource when they must wrestle with the right course for our nation.  You cannot separate the candidate from his (her) religion... it's going to be a factor in their everyday life. 

I think Romney is wrong when he says freedom requires religion.  Yet, that's just him pandering to the Religious Right.

Huckabee envokes Christ, yes.  However, Huckabee is quite a genuine Christian.  So genuine in fact, he took the Lord literally when it came to forgiveness and forgave (pardoned) hundreds of criminals while governor of Arkansas. 

Obviously, religious persuasions have to be taken with a grain of salt.  Not every Christian believes every word of the Bible or lives by every word of the Bible.  However, you get an idea of where the candidate came from... how he (and she) was raised, how he raised his children, how he sees the world. 

To answer the question, overt religious statements and imagery don't turn me on... I'm a New Englander, what can I say?   Religion is not for the town square.  Would I vote for an atheist?  I'd want to know how he sees the world.  If he believes in the morality that secular America is beholden to by the law, then that's fine with me.  Our laws set up fair moral standards for all to live by.  Much in law is drawn from our Judeo-Christian heritage, so it's not like our secular laws are even free of religion.  Honestly, the best thing is to treat others as you would like to be treated and minimize governmental interference and waste and maximize government effectiveness and aid (not that those are contradictory goals or anything)

I'm very old fashioned and believe in the separation of any religion with politics. So an atheist would be a refreshing change!