Americans would more likely support a philandering presidential candidate than an atheist one -- by an 18 percent margin -- according to a Pew Research Center poll published Monday.
While 35 percent of respondents said they would be less likely to support a presidential candidate who had an extramarital affair, 53 percent of Americans indicated that not believing in God -- the trait viewed most negatively of the 16 tested -- would make them unsupportive of a candidate.
In accordance with a widely cited study by the University of Minnesota, which found atheists to be the most disliked and distrusted minority group in the nation, only 5 percent of respondents said they would be more likely to vote for a secular candidate.
This is the problem with politics in this country. Any liar, charlatan, or fool can attract support simply by draping themselves in the camouflage of religion.
Yet the most upstanding, trustworthy, ethical candidate imaginable will see their chances crumble once their lack of blind faith is revealed to the ignorant masses.
I would place my morality against the average Christian, Buddhist, or Muslim any day of the week.
One of the biggest falsehoods of all time is that belief in God is necessary in order to be moral.
I contend that just the opposite is true. How moral is a person really who believes he cannot do wrong without receiving everlasting torment, or sabotaging his chances for eternal life?
And how morally superior is the man, or woman, who lives a just and moral life simply because they recognize that it is the best way to contribute to the world?
There's nothing wrong with smoking pot or being old ;) hahahaha But true
ReplyDeletePolls are stupid.
ReplyDeleteI don't even feel too guilty saying this.
ReplyDeleteSome of these people will be dying off soon - that generation who are now in their 70=80s are skewing these surveys.The milleniums and younger wereb't/aren't raised as indoctrinated as the rest of us.
I’m afraid folks still equate Atheist with Godless Communist. You guys have your work cut out for you, but that’s where you need to start.
DeleteI would easily vote for an upstanding Atheist, but I’ve come a long way. My dad, if he were alive, almost certainly wouldn’t, even though he was never more than a lukewarm Christian. My mother would have a stroke at the mere thought.
Many 'supposed' Christians I know do NOT live to the teachings! They lie, cheat, have extramarital affairs and divorces! Anyone that chats their faith - I usually run in the opposite direction!
ReplyDeleteLook at our politicians throughout the country that are 'christians'. They are total assholes. I lead w/Mitch McConnell who is currently up for reelection in Kentucky! He is a jerk - doesn't support the poor - voted anti women issues in Congress - leads w/hate and nastiness. I personally think he is a racist in that he has obstructed President Obama since day one (and said he would!).
Vote Republicans out of office. Why ANYONE would vote for one is beyond me.
We have an arrogant asshole in Alaska too - Mayor George Sullivan. I hope Liesl McGuire cleans his clock in the November election.
Vote, vote, vote and research the candidates...see how they vote on things because they will tell you one thing and vote completely the opposite!
Not surprised.America, land of the dumb.
ReplyDeleteAlas, it's all the dumb ones that have a biggest voices.
DeleteI'm only willing to give America a chance because of sane voices like Gryph's.
I hear ya Barbara. I'm happy to be an American, life is very easy here, but I'm often too embarrassed to admit it when I visit other countries. If it gets any nuttier here it might be time to become an ex-pat. Plus, with the majority of the population undereducated and only getting more so, how long before our standard of living plummets and America becomes the America from "Idiocracy"?
DeleteThe evangelicals and the dominionist Christians insist that without their religion and their faith, and believing in the bible, that no one can have any moral compass, ethics, or standards.
ReplyDeleteIn the USA an atheist politician would be scorned and accused of being a traitor.
The "moral majority of the 1980's has forced the religious right to completely conflate their politics with religious value, in spite of the 1st amemdment and article 6, paragraph 3 of the Constitution.
The militant Christians are truly anti-constitution in every sense of the word.
Only sixteen were tested.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of same sex marriage.
It takes time for people to see the truth that is right in front of their faces.
Maturity is right around the corner.
We may be approaching a strange crossroad in America -- where being a "homo" is better than being an atheist. It is all the same road to me: Civil and Human Rights.
ReplyDeleteIf you believe, as I have been saying for years, that being an atheist is the New Gay, we atheists will eventually be home free!
And being vocal about it has to be done: "To win a war [and we are at war if America is to be saved from these unevolved cretins], you have to start one." (From The Normal Heart, beginning on HBO this Sunday. Sheldon -- Jim Parsons -- from The Big Bang Theory is in it!)
I totally agree, Barbara. Hate, fear and ignorance are learned and ingrained. This country is just as much our country as it is theirs. .
DeleteIt just hit me. Sarah and company are adamantly pro life even with just a relative not bio=related to them. That's pretty awesome. Recognizing how amazing it is for people to see the specialness of these children.
ReplyDeleteTroll alert!
DeleteWtf are you even talking about? Damn, you are incredibly deranged.
DeleteIt just hit them, let me guess - Brain Injury Much?
Delete"How moral is a person really who believes he cannot do wrong without receiving everlasting torment, or sabotaging his chances for eternal life?"
ReplyDeleteNot very moral. Neither is it comforting to be on the receiving end of 'good works' from someone who is acting from fear or responsibility rather than compassion.
It's different, and worse, for Evangelical Christians: the fear of hell and promise of heaven leads to accepting salvation through Christ. Morality is something that's only possible by the indwelling Holy Spirit received when someone is 'born again.' Then:
'Not by works, but by faith in Christ.'
'Once saved, always saved.'
Salvation, and the resulting morality, is a gift--you can't earn it and you can't lose it.
I'd say atheists have the upper hand.
Being an optimist, I see that Atheism doesn't matter to 41% of the polled and 5% would definitely vote for an atheist. So, there you go...53% won't vote for the atheist, but is wonderful that there is only a 7 percentage lag. That is not insurmountable and with a little work and little time, not years, I see this not being an issue. Personally, I'm going to vote for the Democrat or the Independent and would prefer that they keep their religion out of politics.
ReplyDeleteIt just makes me feel better about myself, not being one of the sheeple. I'm third generation Atheist. We've always been honest about our lack of religious beliefs and I personally have not experienced any discrimination because of it, well, this one family wouldn't allow me spend the night with their daughter, but then realized I was actually a good influence and her and then recanted.
ReplyDeleteKen Ham Blasts Upcoming Distribution of Atheist Book at Ky. High School; 'Friendly Atheist' Blogger Says Book Is Not Anti-Christian
ReplyDeleteKen Ham of the Creation Museum has blasted an upcoming event at a Kentucky high school where atheists plan to hand out copies of The Young Atheist's Survival Guide.
"The reason for handing out this atheist book is to attack the Bible and the Christian faith-and the atheists really just want Bible distribution by volunteers to be stopped all together. And of course, atheists do not ultimately have any positive message to give. What can someone who says there is no God, and declares that when you die you cease to exist, really offer people except some subjective opinions for living in the here and now?" Ham wrote in a post for Answers in Genesis on Sunday.
The planned event for June 3 at Boone County High School, which is near the Creation Museum, is being organized by Tri-State Freethinkers, which is partnering with author Hemant Mehta and The Secular Student Alliance. The Freethinkers had asked for the same access to students that those passing out Gideon Bibles get.
Mehta, who is also a high school math teacher in Illinois and serves on the board of directors for Foundation Beyond Belief, maintained that his book, The Young Atheist's Survival Guide, is not anti-Christian. He wrote on his "Friendly Atheist" blog on Monday that Ham has not read his book.
"It's not anti-Christian at all and simply explains to all audiences how they can help young atheists," the author stated.
Mehta said that there is no hidden agenda behind the distribution of the books. The author argued that atheists are taking advantage of the same opportunity that The Gideons are given when they hand out Bibles at public schools.
...The Creation Museum CEO warned that students who read the book might go to atheist websites where they will read "blasphemous statements and ad hominem attacks that are rife through atheist writings."
http://www.christianpost.com/news/ken-ham-blasts-upcoming-distribution-of-atheist-book-at-ky-high-school-friendly-atheist-blogger-says-it-is-not-anti-christian-119994/
The problem is that the christians have a monopoly on persecution and erroneously "believe" they're the religion chosen by the founders because everyone has to believe in God, Right?
ReplyDeleteI try to stay optimistic, but we atheists, for the most part, have more morals for the right reason than small c christians.
Nowhere in the constitution is any test for religion, and there was a brilliant reason for that which small c christians refuse to acknowledge nor accept.
Part of the current problem is that many atheists don't represent themselves well on the internet. Look at the last two paragraphs of this post. That's the same kind of smug, superior attitude some people accuse religious people of having. Pigeon-hole people much, Uncle G?
ReplyDeleteSign me an open-minded agnostic.