What are your personal beliefs of the future for atheists will be?

Will they ever have a position as a Senator, or Supreme Court Judge, or President in the United States?

Will they ever be persecuted in the near future if religion organizations do grow and have the power in government to do so? Or do you think this will never happen?

Will a Atheist be able to advertise their belief on commercials like they are already doing in some parts of Europe?

Will there be more who follow atheism in the future? Let us say a time frame of 50 years from today?

and last but not least

What future does Atheism have? If it has any or profound changes I would like to know your opinion.

How do we know that some have not been?

Would you care to answer the other questions?

Well we know that there hasn't been a President that (claims) he was a atheist. You see what I am trying to figure out is if religion has a major role in getting a person elected in any governmental seat. I say this for I have been reading up on a agnostic scholar who criticized religions and at the time had a hard time getting a governmental seat because of his opinions. This was in 1849 by the way so perhaps times have changed. Or has it not? Primarily what I am getting at is that he didn't get the votes because of his views on religion.

So I really am trying to see if America truly is a democracy in sense that allows everyone the right regardless of their religious affiliation or none at all can truly gain a seat in the government.

Perhaps you can do the research for me concerning any member in Congress that claims he or she is a atheist. That would be interesting.

Here is a interesting article to read up on:


There is a terrible stigma associated with atheism in the United States, as if reasonableness were some kind of sickness that should be subject to quarantine. There is so much talk about whether we will see a female president(not yet) or black president(succeeded) in our lifetime, but wholly ignored is the fact that any politician who identifies himself as an atheist stands no chance at reaching the nation's highest office. Of course, it is quite possible that there have been atheistic presidents, just none that came out of the closet, so to speak. They end every speech as an American president must: "God bless the United States of America." Will this change in our lifetime? Will an "out of the closet" atheist ever be elected President of the United States?

Ron Reagan, Jr., son of the late former United States President Ronald Reagan, doesn't seem to think so. When asked in an interview with Larry King whether he would ever run for office, he stated: "No, I'm not really cut out to be a politician... I'm an atheist. So there you go right there. I can't be elected to anything because polls all say that people won't elect an atheist."

In an interview with the New York Times, Ron Reagan, Jr. expressed the same sentiment when asked whether he would like to be president of the United States: "I would be unelectable. I'm an atheist. As we all know, that is something people won't accept."

The terrible truth is that Ron Reagan, Jr. is absolutely correct.

Americans will not elect an atheist who doesn't hide his beliefs. In fact, atheism carries such a stigma in the United States that most Americans will not even conceal the fact that they wouldn't vote for a candidate who declared he was an atheist. If an American stated outright that he or she would not vote for a candidate because the candidate was a woman, an African-American, or a Jew, that American would be criticized, ostracized, called a hateful bigot. But if that same American were to say that he or she would not vote for an atheist, there would be no such backlash. And sadder still, most Americans would agree.

Unfortunately what you say is accurate...

Are you aware of the fact that the original pledge of allegiance did not contain 'God'?

In God We Trust was not on the currency until the 20th century?

The idea that the country was founded upon Christian beliefs is unfounded... wrong! That is Christian revisionism for you.

As a matter of fact, that kind of religious oppression is one of the things that the colonists were escaping from.

I have received two messages in the last month and it sort of went like this. Don’t think the bible is for fools, everyone needs to believe in SOMETHING! So here I am thinking that for some reason bible seems to turn many intelligent people into fools. Then when you try to tell them your opinion, they start posting up bible pages preaching and then interpreting the bible their own way and then believing it’s the only possible truth there can ever be. So this leads to the question about politicans in general. Are they fools or are they savvy in telling the public whatever they want to hear to gain their position in Congress?

How influenital is religion in politics in today's society?

Well here I thought about George Bush Senior.

George Bush (senior) said in August 27 1987

„I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God”.

So now Atheists shouldn't be citizens either! Well thanks that Presidents can only run a country with Congress 4 years at a time!

And the people, the American people didn’t really care when he said this. Yes the leader of a country giving such a speech.

However I could imagine that atheist groups did!

Shouldn’t this have been the statement nobody should actually like?

It’s like saying that women should not be considered patriots or that soldiers should not be able to vote. This clearly shows that, if by some miracle an atheist should be able to become a president, his run in the White House wouldn’t last too long.



Now we are also seen as minorities in this “god-forsaken” world! Well we are actually. lol

In 2006 the researchers of the University of Minnesota conducted a survey which revealed that being an atheist in America is far worse from being a Muslim in America. I would like to see a 2009 survey one day to see if this changed!

The first surprise for me was that they called atheists a minority.

Gay people are a minority (at least they used to be couple of years back, now they’re a trend), women athletes without breasts are a minority; honest politicians are a minority, but atheists?

For me it’s really unbelievable.

I feel it shouldn’t matter what or who people believe in (even in Jesus Christ, yes), at least where’s the higher being (or not) concerned.

One way or another, the survey revealed that being an atheist in America is far worse from being a Muslim in America.

Doesn’t that concern you, maybe just a little?



Even Ronald Reagan’s son knows he couldn’t walk in his dad’s footsteps and he should know, right?

When asked in an interview with Larry King whether he would ever run for office, he answered: "No, I'm not really cut out to be a politician... I'm an atheist.

So there you go right there.

I can't be elected to anything because polls all say that people won't elect an atheist."



Obama – will he live?

Basically the only way for an atheist to ever be elected would be lying.

Lying about NOT being an atheist.

And for that the president would possibly leave the White House in a coffin after his Chief Of Staff (or anyone else for that matter) found out the awful truth.

When to think about it, I’m starting to have some concernes about Obama.

His grandfather was a muslim, according to the current standards, that’s ok. But his father eventually became an atheist (okay, agnostic, but that’s just a nice name for an atheist some say).

I think agostic are at least truthful when saying, "We don't know!"

Now, Obama being an atheist muslim (I’d imagine this is a man beating the religious people with the Koran) or at least with Atheist/Muslim background is a really dangerous choice. Although he could be a somekind of Christian denomination since his wife goes to church or have no opinion at all. I mean for me personally religion faith should be kept private and not a issue or judgement of what the person will do in his governmental seat. Obviously try to explain that to a dedicated religious follower. Good luck with that!


I mean perhaps John Adams was a atheist after finding this quote, but again it only suggests he didn't like religion. This doesn't rule out that he may be spiritual indeed one way or another.

“This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it.” - John Adams, U.S. President



I agree with that statement, everyone should believe in what they want.


Mahatma Gandhi has said it nicely – „I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ” – and I really got to agree with that one.

Of course I see Jesus's attempts differently then most religious people anyway.



Then we have the supersitious morons

Religious people believe that atheists look upon the religious as superstitious morons. I’d like to say - get off the drugs!

Christians believe atheists are superstitious morons, same goes for muslims. Muslims think the same about christians and atheists. In some weird reason I believe atheists are the most free-minded people of all. They just don’t care what people believe in as long as you don’t bother them with your jesus mambo-jambo.


Here are just a few key facts that might complicate things even further for the wannabe atheist president -

In September 2007 a school teacher was fired because he said the story of Adam and Eve was a "fairy tale" and it shouldn’t be interpreted literally, but what about those teachers who find Darwin's Evolution a hoax? Why don't they get fired? If a school teacher is being fired for that, what would they do to a president?

„In God We Trust” is the official U.S. national motto since 1957 and it’s been attached to all the coins for a lot longer time. How much do you need to drink to come up with the idea of using something like that on money? It’s like getting a tattoo “I love Vladimir” on my butt. While changing it is not necessary (well, the tattoo would definitely need changing) it would definitely create too many discussions and problems for the atheist president, you can be sure of that.

„One nation under god” in The Pledge of Allegiance – everything in US seems to be connected to god.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag stands: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The initial version was a lot better I must admit (I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.) but unfortunately in 1954 they changed it to the current version.

And then there’s Bush and his delusions like he’s able to talk to god. I remember there was a scene in the cartoon “American Dad” where God called Bush to tell him not to use His name in his speeches.

From this perspective, an atheist president would have to disappoint a lot of Christians for NOT mentioning His name and rather ask people to work out their crap themselves.


What did I want to prove? Nothing. Nothing whatsoever. But I did want to make you think a bit, the very least I managed to make you think I’m a moron – and that’s thinking too.

but the question goes back will there ever be a Atheist president who will not pledge under a god, swear oath on a bible, or do anything that is needed to have a God, Goddess, or somekind of energy proven to the people to ensure he or she will do a good job while being the leader of the country.

I personally think religion should stay out of governments.

What say you?

http://inatheistbus.org/

theyll start recruiting like the witnesses "knock knock there is no God"

Well all be darned it is happening. Good! Freedom of Speech does work here in this country sometimes.

I like that motto "You can be good without a God"

Not bad

If that happens then I have seen it all

it is ok we get to blaime it all on em

You may be surprised at how many of the founding fathers were deists only... not Christians.

Actually I know alot about this and find it highly interesting how this trend at the time shifted to a more religous way later on.

I mean yes many left the old world from religious persecution to try again here in the states creating other denominations. I think Rhode Island was a safe haven for many religions to start over with a different twist which wasn't allowed in the old world.

Nevertheless, the founding fathers who I believe truly wanted to seperate religion from government would be somewhat dissappointed that the laws changed later on.

I mean at what point and who changed this? That would be interesting to know.

For example 1957 they changed the pledge to add God in it.

So at that period we know somethings where changed.


It would be interesting to know if this God trend added into the government will last? Will it be taken out of context one day again or do you think people care less?

This Nation was built on Christian PRINCIPLES...

NOT on a Christian RELIGION!!

That's the VERY REASON , that We broke AWAY from the mother

country , where christian RELIGION RULED back then....

( and notice again... it was christian RELIGION we broke away

from.....NOT christian RELATIONSHIP) .

We wanted NO part of a country being under RELIGIOUS RULE.


THat is why religious fredom is allowed in this country...

and any one single religion does NOT rule here.


BUT REGARDLESS,

Christian PRINCIPLES is still the basis on which this country is built...

even though we allow religious freedom of CHOICE for ALL!!!

Just like Christ allows us freedom to CHOOSE Him...or not to choose Him.

Christ doesn't force us to believe on Him either...like religion does.

And When we have RELATIONSHIP with God ,

we ALSO don't force people to believe .

We share with others ....

but then allow others the FREEDOM to CHOOSE...as they will.

As it should be.

Hope this helps clarify.

When you 'share' with people that do not want to hear, that is pretty much the same as forcing.



I cant speak for the USA, but i am extremely happy about the state of Christianity in the UK. It is doing very poorly, another generation or two and we really will be a godless nation. Its not that people are necessarily athiest or agnostic, its more that many people just arent interested. They havent been brought up with it, and dont really care about it one way or another.

Im generalising massively of course, but this is true amongst the people i know.

Out of all my friends, aquaintences and work colleagues, which is a pretty big number, i can only think of a few people that care about religion, out of those the only white person that has any interest in it is Jewish, and he admitted to me yesterday that its a cultural thing rather than a belief thing.

Dan.... I don't blame you folks for not being interested in religion.


I am not interested in religion either.

So in the end Atheists will have a bright future ahead of them.

They won't be judged by religions for what they believe in.

Can get governmental seats

Can advertise in peace

and also live a life without being persecuted, thrown in jail, or lessened

That sounds like a promising future for humanity in general.


Wow it is good to dream isn't it!

But I really would like that all humans regardless in what they believe in or not are left with their beliefs in peace without harming others in the process. That they truly have equal rights throughout the world.

If only all religions would agree with this then it would be a start to some desperate world peace indeed.

MS, Religion does interest me, i just dont care for it. You must care for and be interested by religion, as you always talk about Jesus. Jesus is religion, he IS Christianity. You cant seperate Jesus and the God you talk about from religion. Unless you talk about Jesus as being the man that he most likely was. i.e a mere man, just like me and you(ok, you are a woman, but you get my drift), albeit a much more influential person than we will ever be.

I dont discount the fact that there MIGHT be some kind of God, i only discount organised religions because it is very clear to me that they are BS.