Is it realistic to think there is a chance that an athiest would ever win office? I've been thinking about it and im not sure. With so much controversy about Mitt Romney being a mormon, how big would the controversy be over an athiest? As my name implies I plan to eventually become a future leader in American politics, and as an athiest this issue is important to me.

Is thier something that a religious person has that an athiest doesnt? Should a President rely on a 'god' rather than himself and his people? Is thier some comfort in the idea that if someone is religious they are some how more moral and trustworthly? I don't know, but it seems to me with 60% of Americans believeing in creationism that any athiest that attempts to run for public office would shot down.

There is constant talk of racial, religious, and gender equality in America but if this true then would religious people bring thier religion with them in the voting booths? I know people do this all the time, but is it wrong? It's clear that America has accepted race and gender equality (Barrack and Hillary's success), but even a non-christian like Mitt was hassled for his beliefs even though they played no part in his politics.

Also there is another thing in which I don't understand, if there is such thing as 'separation of church and state' then why would religion even matter?

Not in our lifetimes. No way. Atheists are one group it's still OK to hate in mainstream America.

I believe Mormonism is a form of Christianity.

Yes but many wouldn't be happy about.

Speak for yourself! of course an athiest could be President all he has to do is be able to lie as well as Dubya, he could take lesson in lying from the catholic church, to give one example how to deny some of your clergy like buggering children

Not only is it possible in the future it is desirable.

We've already had an closet atheist president. His name was James Madison. Several other presidents had agnostic or atheist leanings as well, but hid it more.

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Why is ok to hate athiests?

What makes a christian President more desirable then an athiest?

A person who is "openly" an Atheist could not win an election. I read a newsweek magazine more then a year ago that said that 47% of Americans believe religion is important when voting for the President. Nearly half the American population probably wouldn't even vote for a non-Christian let alone an atheist. The truth is most people don't seem to trust atheist (because who is less worthy of trust then someone who has not sworn allegiance to an invisible being whose true nature people take upon themselves to speculate) and consciously or subconsciously most people want others to live according to their own philosophy whether religious or not.

With the Neocons and Christians evangelicals controlling capitol hill? No chance in hell.

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Only YOU can stop stupid posts.

Of course not all Christians see Mormons as Christians. Just as there are Christians who are bigoted towards atheists there are also Christians who are bigoted towards other Christians. In fact polls suggest that voters would sooner vote for a black man or a woman before voting for a Mormon. So there are plenty of Christians who think it's okay to hate other Christians just as there are Christians who believe it's okay to hate atheists because there is no logic to hate, just purely irrational beliefs.