Openly Atheist Prime Minister...

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Nyah

I know the ones you're talking about. They're pretty embarrassing.

How so?

[Inglewood Jack]

sorry, involuntary reaction whenever this topic comes up

[FlamesAddiction]

It shouldn't even be an issue.

Even in Croatia, which is dominated culturally by Catholicism, recently elected an openly atheist president (Ivo Josipović).

[Nyah]

Originally Posted by First Lady

How so?

Spoiler!

Because I believe their only reason for being put up is to bring about guilt in those who have had to make that tough decision. What other reason would there be? To convince a rape victim that instead of being selfish & aborting her baby, she should accept it? To make her feel guilty about the decision she shouldn’t have had to make? I remember a few years ago seeing a billboard truck driving around that had photos of late term aborted fetuses. In reality, these abortions happen less than five percent of the time, and are mostly done because of risks to the mother or disease with the fetus. In fact, according to 2010 statistics, late term abortions made up 2% of all abortions. Yet Pro Life campaigns seem to love using these images, as well as messages of guilt to try and get their point across. It’s propaganda. Therefore in my opinion, living in a progressive society, it’s embarrassing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...and_law#Canada

Here's a link with lists of Atheist politicians & lawyers from around the world, throughout history. It's pretty interesting to see the difference between countries.

[Thor]

The US is so relgious and religion plays such a large part of politics that I think it will be some time for an openly atheist person has any chance in the US presidential election.

[nfotiu]

When I hear atheist, I think of the belligerent, all religions are evil, there is definitely no god, and my way of thinking is the only way. I don't think that kind of person would go very far in politics in either country. An agnostic type who doesn't believe in god or any particular religions, but respects the beliefs of others would probably do fine in Canada. In the right circumstances, they might have a shot in the US too. .

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

There are a bunch of unwritten criteria for US presidential candidates. Your chance at the White House decrease the further you stray from the following:

• white
• male
• Christian
• married
• parent
• over 6' in height

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Nyah

Spoiler!

Because I believe their only reason for being put up is to bring about guilt in those who have had to make that tough decision. What other reason would there be? To convince a rape victim that instead of being selfish & aborting her baby, she should accept it? To make her feel guilty about the decision she shouldn’t have had to make? I remember a few years ago seeing a billboard truck driving around that had photos of late term aborted fetuses. In reality, these abortions happen less than five percent of the time, and are mostly done because of risks to the mother or disease with the fetus. In fact, according to 2010 statistics, late term abortions made up 2% of all abortions. Yet Pro Life campaigns seem to love using these images, as well as messages of guilt to try and get their point across. It’s propaganda. Therefore in my opinion, living in a progressive society, it’s embarrassing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...and_law#Canada

Here's a link with lists of Atheist politicians & lawyers from around the world, throughout history. It's pretty interesting to see the difference between countries.

I think the aim is to get people talking about the topic. Living in a progressive society to me means we openly discuss a wide variety of topics.

If people are embarassed by that or care whether a president is religious or not indicate to me; we may not be as progressive or open-minded as some like to believe.

[Nyah]

I don't think the point is whether people care about the religions of their leaders, as someone pointed out - religion of politicians isn't as big of a deal here as it is in the States. It's whether someone running openly as an Atheist would have a shot. I think they might in Canada, but there's no way they would in the US.

[Senator Clay Davis]

The Democrats platform at the convention this year left out God and Israel and within 3 hours that had been reversed due to religious outrage. So no it will never happen in the US. Doubtful it happens in Canada but I guess the odds are better, though I'd still wager you're looking at a less than 1% chance of it ever happening.

[_Q_]

I think if a candidate was openly atheist and blatantly said something along the lines of "my rejection of God will definitely play a role in the policies I put into place" then I don't think he has a chance of winning in Canada, let alone in the US. If however he was atheist and reinforced the idea that religion has nothing to do with his policies, that he'll do what is best for the nation first and foremost, then I think he would have a chance in Canada. In the US, probably not.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by troutman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religio..._United_States

Also important to note is the Deism of many of the founding fathers and early presidents when 'christianity' was as much a matter of philosophy as it was a matter of religious observance.

At the time, unless you were a native resident, you were a Christian.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

When I hear atheist, I think of the belligerent, all religions are evil, there is definitely no god, and my way of thinking is the only way. I don't think that kind of person would go very far in politics in either country. An agnostic type who doesn't believe in god or any particular religions, but respects the beliefs of others would probably do fine in Canada. In the right circumstances, they might have a shot in the US too. .

I hate to derail this thread along these lines, but that doesn't really represent the difference between atheism and agnosticism accurately. That might be what you think of when you hear atheist, but this is a negative and inaccurate stereotype. An atheist can be as respectful about any debate in religion as any agnostic or theist, and some of the atheists I know simply aren't interested in talking about the god debate because to them it's not meaningful or interesting. As well, agnosticism isn't a lack of belief in a god; it's a belief that gods are in some way inherently unknowable (although even that's a simplification, because there are several different and distinct types of agnosticism).

[Ozy_Flame]

Nenshi is Ismali, I believe, which is one of the more moderate and tolerant lines of Islam.

Either way, he's proving that religion doesn't matter two cents when it comes to effective public leadership.

[speede5]

Harper is a Christian, and so is a good portion of the conservative party. I am as well, but I get agitated at fellow christians who vote solely on that factor. We just went through this with our civic election (Moose Jaw) and I gaurantee you it was a factor in a couple people getting elected to counsel. I have friends posting on their facebook who to vote for and the only reason is they are a Christian.

[crazy_eoj]

Like Harper and Nenshi, I expect my public representatives to leave their religion out of their public responsibilities. I think they both do an admirable job of this.

I don't really care what they believe at home, and I think most Canadians would likely feel the same way.

[Rifleman]

I think the reason why religion doesn't play as big a part in Canada is because, like others have mentioned, we don't have Bible Belt here, per se. There are plenty of religious folk also, probably equal to or a little less than the US Eastern seaboard area, but they don't gather in one area, in large enough numbers, to sway politics.

And politicians are going to have convictions, like it or not, and they'll take actions based on those, whether it is their own or those of a certain religion. It's exactly *which* convictions you can live with that should be the deciding factor on who you should vote for. Not because one sticks one label in front or behind their name, whether that label is christian, muslim, or atheist/agnostic. You can have a christian who is pro choice and an agnostic who is anti gay marriage, or a muslim who is in favor of eating yummy bacon.

I'd vote for the guy who aligns the closest to my personal beliefs and values. (Especially the latter.)

[CaptainCrunch]

And that's why I'm holding my vote for the first PM candidate who openly worships Satan.

[saskflames69]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

And that's why I'm holding my vote for the first PM candidate who openly worships Satan.

Trudeau?

[photon]

He said worships, not is.