Well, we cannot really predict which agnostics may accept God before they die, can we? The reason that I make a distinction between atheists and agnostics is that I want a president who is open minded enough to wisely consider the advise of his cabinet and other advisors. Being agnostic does not necessarily mean that a person has a closed mind and will disrespect the religious beliefs of others.

 

True, but why would someone answer God's call not openly? At least someone who is running for public office. I agree with the open minded/closed mind distinction, although I would assume atheists and agnostics reading this do not like to be categorized as so. There are always exceptions.

 

Those who confidently claim that God does not exist lack the good judgment that I want in a president.

 

:thumb:

 

I am not looking for a president to be a religious leader but I do not want them to be religiously intolerant either.

 

From a political standpoint I agree, but as I've said before my faith is more important to me than politics so I'd rather vote for someone who promotes religious values. Perhaps I'm being a bit picky but I think a good leader needs to have good character - and for me a defining part of a man's character is his relationship with God.

 

JMO

True, but why would someone answer God's call not openly? At least someone who is running for public office. I agree with the open minded/closed mind distinction, although I would assume atheists and agnostics reading this do not like to be categorized as so. There are always exceptions.

 

 

 

:thumb:

 

 

 

From a political standpoint I agree, but as I've said before my faith is more important to me than politics so I'd rather vote for someone who promotes religious values. Perhaps I'm being a bit picky but I think a good leader needs to have good character - and for me a defining part of a man's character is his relationship with God.

 

JMO

The truth is, the worst people among us will profess to believe anything that you want them to believe to get elected. Don't forget Slick Willy's Bible toting photo-ops on church house steps following his Sunday morning rendezvous with that woman...Monica Lewinsky.

My first reaction is many, if not most of them. Johnson, Nixon and Clinton come to mind first but I really wouldn't rule out any of them with the possible exception of Carter.

 

 

Totally agree with this.

I could actually consider voting for an avowed atheist as long as he/she wasn't openly hostile or condescending toward people of belief.

 

When people who don't believe use terms like "the indoctrination of superstition and myth" or declare the Bible to be a work of fiction the only purpose I can see in that is to try to demonstrate how intellectually superior they consider themselves to be. I could never vote for someone who openly mocks the beliefs of his/her electorate.

I could actually consider voting for an avowed atheist as long as he/she wasn't openly hostile or condescending toward people of belief.

That would be hard to find IMO, proclaimed Agnostics are a little more understanding, but devout Atheist are generally very condescending.

That would be hard to find IMO, I have rarely spoken to an atheist that wasn't condescending to people of Faith.

 

I agree. The few open atheists I have met seem to think they are much more intelligent and enlightened then I am.

I have a lot of respect for those who couragouesly go where most fear to tread and openly stand up for their agnostic or NON-belief. What I do believe is that in one more generation , non-believers will outnumber believers in this country.

I have a lot of respect for those who couragouesly go where most fear to tread and openly stand up for their agnostic or NON-belief. What I do believe is that in one more generation , non-believers will outnumber believers in this country.

 

And why exactly is that a good thing?

Science and rational thought will always trump that which is irrational and illogical. I have hope for future generations. Scientific discovery over the next fifty years will inspire more people to think critically and dismiss that which has no basis in fact. I believe that is a VERY good thing.

Science and rational thought will always trump that which is irrational and illogical. I have hope for future generations. Scientific discovery over the next fifty years will inspire more people to think critically and dismiss that which has no basis in fact. I believe that is a VERY good thing.

 

The above post seems to fully support this post....

 

I agree. The few open atheists I have met seem to think they are much more intelligent and enlightened then I am.

Science and rational thought will always trump that which is irrational and illogical. I have hope for future generations. Scientific discovery over the next fifty years will inspire more people to think critically and dismiss that which has no basis in fact. I believe that is a VERY good thing.

 

I think you make the mistake a lot of people make on this: don't conflate atheism or agnosticism with a respect an understanding of scientific thought and process. Plenty of religious people out there with deep respect for science and who even work in the field. Plenty of dumber-than-a-bag-of-hammers idiots out there who aren't religious.

 

Atheism is growing because people no longer see why faith and religion should be vital to a good and happy life. It's not growing because all of a sudden there are a lot more burgeoning molecular biologists on the scene.

Science and rational thought will always trump that which is irrational and illogical. I have hope for future generations. Scientific discovery over the next fifty years will inspire more people to think critically and dismiss that which has no basis in fact. I believe that is a VERY good thing.

 

And they will come back in huge waves in times of crises. I am of the belief that many nonbelievers simply wear their non belief as a "banner of intelligence" that is a mirage.

Science and rational thought will always trump that which is irrational and illogical. I have hope for future generations. Scientific discovery over the next fifty years will inspire more people to think critically and dismiss that which has no basis in fact. I believe that is a VERY good thing.

 

Humanity thought that very thing prior to 1914 and the 20th Century. Two World Wars kind of killed the notion of the enlightenment of humanity.

Science and rational thought will always trump that which is irrational and illogical. I have hope for future generations. Scientific discovery over the next fifty years will inspire more people to think critically and dismiss that which has no basis in fact. I believe that is a VERY good thing.

What are your own scientific credentials?

The above post seems to fully support this post....

 

Exactly the type of answer I expected which is why I posed the question.