Just my copy-and-pasted answer:
A large chunk of America is Christian, and Christians (as a group) will vote for someone they believes represents them. If a presidential candidate declares him/herself as as non-religious, they pretty much have no chance of winning, not matter how great a candidate he/she is.
Personally, I don't think Atheists are any different. If I investigate a political candidate and find them spouting religious stuff (like being anti-abortion for religious reasons etc), I will not vote for them. And that's because someone who is, say, anti-abortion for religious reasons, does not represent me and my beliefs. Christian America is voting the same way. I would argue that Christian Americans (as a group) are far too uncritical about the religious beliefs of their leaders. All some of them have to do is mention Jesus or God and BAM! everybody loves them. I should say that that is what I see, as an outsider looking in (I'm from New Zealand).
Obama has stated that he believes in God, but has stopped short of declaring himself any specific religion. I think that is smart because, he doesn't alienate the Christian majority and he also doesn't alienate Atheists/Agnostics or any other religion really. The belief in a God appeases the majority, while the lack of definitive connection to a specific religious system makes Atheists/Agnostics feel safer about the risk of religiously influenced decision-making *cough*GeorgeBush*cough*
In response to your weak-willed comment, I would give you my Sarah Palin rant, but thats a long one... I will say that I think that, because of the nature of organised religion, using God as a platform, and as a reason to vote, is an uncritical and easy way to vote. Political leaders should be voted in for their work ethic, their honesty and their willingness to listen to the people that they represent. As we all know, there ain't that many politicians who fit that bill. Its much harder to judge a person on the aforementioned qualities than it is to judge them on their religion. "Praise Jesus" invigorates the masses more than a detailed policy or political message.
A large chunk of America is Christian, and Christians (as a group) will vote for someone they believes represents them. If a presidential candidate declares him/herself as as non-religious, they pretty much have no chance of winning, not matter how great a candidate he/she is.
Personally, I don't think Atheists are any different. If I investigate a political candidate and find them spouting religious stuff (like being anti-abortion for religious reasons etc), I will not vote for them. And that's because someone who is, say, anti-abortion for religious reasons, does not represent me and my beliefs. Christian America is voting the same way. I would argue that Christian Americans (as a group) are far too uncritical about the religious beliefs of their leaders. All some of them have to do is mention Jesus or God and BAM! everybody loves them. I should say that that is what I see, as an outsider looking in (I'm from New Zealand).
Obama has stated that he believes in God, but has stopped short of declaring himself any specific religion. I think that is smart because, he doesn't alienate the Christian majority and he also doesn't alienate Atheists/Agnostics or any other religion really. The belief in a God appeases the majority, while the lack of definitive connection to a specific religious system makes Atheists/Agnostics feel safer about the risk of religiously influenced decision-making *cough*GeorgeBush*cough*
In response to your weak-willed comment, I would give you my Sarah Palin rant, but thats a long one... I will say that I think that, because of the nature of organised religion, using God as a platform, and as a reason to vote, is an uncritical and easy way to vote. Political leaders should be voted in for their work ethic, their honesty and their willingness to listen to the people that they represent. As we all know, there ain't that many politicians who fit that bill. Its much harder to judge a person on the aforementioned qualities than it is to judge them on their religion. "Praise Jesus" invigorates the masses more than a detailed policy or political message.
