Here is a little something from the current issue of Psychology today. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Politics: One Nation, Without God
Will we ever elect an openly atheist president?
By Matthew Hutson, published on September 01, 2009 - last reviewed on October 04, 2009
Barack Obama raised a small stir when he stated during his inauguration that "We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers." Yet recognition is a far cry from election. Nonbelievers head a few other countries, and we've had a couple of secular statesmen of our own, but the future doesn't look bright for atheistic ascension to the highest office.
A Look at Past Evidence
"I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God." —George H.W. Bush, 1987
"I would be unelectable. I'm an atheist." —Ron Reagan Jr., 2004
1954
The year the phrase "under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance.
Claims to Fame
A breakdown of the religious affiliations of U.S. presidents:
* Protestant 34
* Catholic: 1
* Quaker: 2
* No Formal Affiliation: 3
* Unitarian: 4
In God We Trust
Why do people fear an atheistic president? Could be the trust factor. People consider atheists no less pleasant or intelligent than theists, and being religious induces employment discrimination against atheists only for jobs that require a high degree of trust, according to new research by Will Gervais, Azim Shariff, and Ara Norenzayan of the University of British Columbia. Bad news for godless candidates: Running the country is a high-stakes gig and people want to have faith in the guy with the red telephone.
Is Atheism Gaining Ground?
National polls say no. Here are percentages of self-identified atheists over the years.
* 1944: 4%
* 1964: 3%
* 1994: 3%
* 2007: 4%
The American Precedent
Richard Dawkins told Wired that intelligent people are often atheists—but since there are no openly atheistic members of Congress, "either they're stupid, or they're lying." Since then, Rep. Pete Stark of California has come out. California also had the only openly atheistic governor on record, Culbert Olson (1939-1943). Olson refused to say "so help me God" during the oath of office.
Just Say No
According to a 2007 Gallup poll, 53% of people refuse to vote for atheists. The percentages of people who won't vote for other groups:
* Atheists: 53%
* Gays: 43%
* People over 72: 42%
* Mormons: 24%
* Hispanics: 12%
* Women: 11%
* Jews: 7%
* Blacks: 5%
* Catholics: 4%
Atheist and Agnostic Heads of State
* Michelle Bachelet—Chile
* Hu Jintao—China
* Alexander Lukashenko—Belarus
* Nursultan Nazarbayev—Kazakhstan
* Fredrik Reinfeldt—Sweden
To avoid confusion this is Lance speaking now;
"Bad news for godless candidates: Running the country is a high-stakes gig and people want to have faith in the guy with the red telephone."
So my take is that people question the moral values of atheist regardless of their education, profession, or political standing. Who cares if an atheist guy or gal comes along with an amazing potential to lead our free world into a new golden era, free of hearing voices in their head, or under the Command of a "non-proven" higher power. Rational thought goes out the window when religion gets involved. Who needs rational thought when you have faith? Faith in what I can't say, but I think it belongs somewhere between the fictional section of your Barnes and Noble and the straight jackets in the nut house. "One nation under DELUSION" is more like it. "I don't care if a candidate is up to their neck in scandal, as long as the good lord "the white Jesus of course" is on there side, they have my vote. Oh and don't take my gun. I might need it if god tells me to kill an abortion doctor." What a joke.
Wake up people. Atheist are not bad people. They are just like you. I respect my neighbors and never covet them. I obey my parents. I don't steel or kill. In fact i don't kill anything living. That includes avoiding stepping on insects and not picking flowers. I follow all of your commandments that involve moral value, not because your god tells me too, but because its common sense if you are a good person. I know your silly sayings like " the road to hell is paved with good intentions." If this saying is so, then I must add, with the history of most religions, that the road to heaven, or wherever you believe you're going, is paved in war, crusades, jihads, inquisitions, slaughter, slavery, segregation and some of the most cruel and un-moral events to ever take place in the history of mankind." I work two steady jobs and pay my bills on time. I've never been in trouble with the law and I was a good student in school. I give to the poor and needy. I have a genuine concern of others feelings, and I highly value anybody who has and lives by the American dream. ( Not the, stuff your face at McDonalds, watch TV 24hrs a day, shop at Wal-Mart, American dream.) The, work to make a difference in your life and the lives of others, stand up for what you believe in, with goals for your life, thankful for the opportunity this country grants you, American dream. Yeah that one.
For many, these words will come to the ears like a storm of blasphemy, and I highly dought you will have read this far before commenting this blog or blocking it out all together. I did not post this blog to offend, but to inform. Maybe instead of electing our political figures by their religious beliefs, or non-beliefs, we should first judge them by the content of their character. I.Q.'s would be a good place to start. ( Sorry any future Bush's). Or maybe instead of creating so much hype over things like guns and gay marriage we can focus on what our candidates think about real issues that our world faces today. Such as our economy, which seems as of lately to be more of a threat to our freedom then a couple of the same sex tying the knot.
I believe one day an Atheist will hold office in our political system. In fact, I believe their are more atheist in power of this nation then we know. You see it doesn't take much to realize that running for office in any branch as an atheist won't work. So what do you do ? You break a commandment or two and lie. Say you believe to get that popular vote. Too bad people vote based on religion. They may just be hurting themselves by doing so. Atheist don't believe in any god so they don't believe that little white lies are going to damn them to hell for all eternity. You better believe that's true. Unfortunately, I don't believe I will live to see the day our President is an open atheist. (open) That would be asking for a hot bullet from god, if you know what I mean?
My American dream, is that one day people of the world will live by the common sense, logic, and the good evolution given instinct in their heads. Believe what you want. I will respect you as a person but, I don't have to respect your beliefs. Especially when most religions scripture states to strike down and kill none believers. Yes this includes Christianity. Read it for yourself in the Bible. Deuteronomy 13:6, 8-15. Your religion can't repect my beliefs, I don't have to respect it.
Maybe I have been reading a little too much Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins, but I believe it is time for atheist to stand and be counted. We must not remain a minority or we will never live to see the day of true freedom by mankinds own free will. With no fear. I know you are out there. You may feel alone but you're not the only person who thinks talking snakes, sounds a bit insane. Or that blind faith without solid evidence sounds a lot like driving in the dark without headlights. If anybody wishes to comment on this please do so without holding back. This is to spark a discussion. This won't be the last you here of me rambling on about atheism. I'm discovering new things everyday, and my views may change from time to time, but they are my own. In no way do I represent or am affiliated with any atheist groups.
By all means have faith in something. Hopefully faith in facts over fiction. Thank you for reading.
