http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070902/ai_n19501954

Question:
If a candidate was a Muslim, would that be a factor on how you would vote???

Choices:
Yes
No

 

What we actually need is an atheist president, or at least one that keeps his/her personal beliefs to his/herself. Religion just screws everything up, politically.

Of course, everything I know about a candidate is a factor but I would rather not know about anyone's religious beliefs. If they make it an issue, and they think it should be, it would not be a point in their favor. Kendor is right, of course, but being realistic, I know that's not going to happen in my lifetime.

Well put, Frank. Didn't we have this conversation about atheists in public office, a while back. I think the consensus was, that it would be political suicide for a candidate to declare they were a non-believer.

quote:

Originally posted by dance girl:
Well put, Frank. Didn't we have this conversation about atheists in public office, a while back. I think the consensus was, that it would be political suicide for a candidate to declare they were a non-believer.

Yes ,but what is puzzling , to me anyway, is how or why any American voter ever knows what faith, if any, a candidate has.How is the question of their religious beliefs, if any, ever of any relevance ?

There was a time when someone's religion was of political significance. It was in the days of the Tudors and Stuarts, ending when James II was driven into exile, William of Orange was invited to become King with Queen Mary and Parliament thereafter employed the monarchy on their terms . When Roman Catholic leaders abroad were potential enemies of Britain it was highly undesirable to have a monarch whose sentiments were Catholic and who might be influenced by such outsiders.

When in American history has there ever been any such practical reason for politics and religion being seen as related and relevant, the one to the other?How can there be one now?

As frankvan said, everything a candidate is a factor. However, his or her religious beliefs should remain separate from his campaign as much as possible. We are not electing a godhead, but a president -to a secular office.

It would be a factor, but not in terms of specifically the fact that he is muslim. Every time there is a religious candidate, I always take into account hoe dedicated and how honest he is to his personal religious faith, being that muslim, christian, jewish, hindu, etc.