I know some people who think this statistic is abominable. However, not long ago this would have been the same statistic for percentage of people who would not vote for a gay candidate. Today the tide has turned in favor of it making no difference for the majority of voters whether or not a person is gay.

Let's hope that soon the stats will turn in the other direction and atheists will get the respect they deserve.

42.5% of Americans didn't vote for anyone for President in 2012, so the atheists are only losing an extra 10.5%

Did I mention I didn't do that well in statistics?

That reminds me of this saying I've heard:

Being an atheist is like being the only sober person in the car, and nobody will let you drive.

Nailed it!

Which religion funded the survey?

They never talk about the religious background of a politician here. You wouldn't even know if you were voting for an atheist. There are actually a lot of people from China or India in office in my area. They could be Christian, Muslim, Hindu ... who knows?

This is why most politicians, atheist or not, will insert a "God bless America" or "We pray for them" comment here and there.

The absence of including God in public life makes you suspicious and (in most cases) unelectable.

I'll be glad when nonbelievers can be elected without having to pander like that. As long as the majority of people associate morals with a god and behavior with their religion, atheists need to make a lot more progress. Hey, at least they aren't being burned at the stake now.

53%?? That's actually encouraging. I' sure in 1960 it would have been more like 90.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2014 01:51PM by rationalist01.

My point exactly. I think things are getting better. I'm sure atheists have it better outside the USA unless it's a strong Muslim or Catholic country. But even the Catholic countries have elected some totally horrible candidates who obviously don't live by Catholic standards of behavior. I'm thinking Italy as one example.

I still and always will believe in God. I would not vote for an atheist. I think our country has a right to vote for or against whoever they choose and it is encouraging to me that most still believe in a God.

If the choice came down to voting for a radical Muslim who believes in God or a pacifist atheist you would pick the Muslim?

As an active Christian, I would have no qualms about voting for an atheist. It should be about the quality of the candidate and his/her stand on the issues.

That leaves the 47% that Mitt said not to worry about.

The trend is more important than the number.

People are turning away from religion, and I think eventually it will be a non issue.


I also think Obama is religious only for professional reasons. I think deep down he is an atheist, as he always mentioned the non believers when he was campaigning.

Reason #459 that I will never be a politician.

It's pretty sad and pathetic that you have to be uber-religious to be trusted and elected. American politicians talk way too much about religion; a non-religious politician would be a breath of fresh air. Even a Christian politician that kept their mouth shut about religion would still be a breath of fresh air....

So, you're saying there's a chance!