Do you have to be religious to win an election?

1. 60

   nightwork4posted 13 years ago

   Do you have to be religious to win an election?
   
   could an atheist become prime minister or president?

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2. 67

   Nils Visserposted 13 years ago

   Depends on how fundamentalist your country is in its religious views. There where things are blindly dogmatic and very simplistic in it's outlook, i.e. black and white without room for any grey hues, then fours legs good, two legs better, and you'd better believe it.

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3. 81

   Jason Marovichposted 13 years ago

   I agree.  It would depend on the average belief of the citizens of whatever country was holding the election.  The United States has never had an admitted non-religious person in office (correct me if I'm wrong).  That reflects the opinion of the US people.  The people have rallied behind candidates that they feel best represent the country's majority beliefs.

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4. 70

   ithabiseposted 13 years ago

   I think it depends on different things (nation, religious attitude of the people, strength of religion). That stated, I don't necessarily think so. I believe that overtures of religious sentiment would satisfy those who are religious. I feel it depends on the type of election as well. The smaller the election (compared to that for President/U.S.) the less it matters. But we have seen that religion figures in elections and sometimes prominently.

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5. 60

   yellowstone8750posted 13 years ago

   There is no separation of church and state, so.....no!

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6. 59

   Jonesy0311posted 13 years ago

   I can only speak for America since this is the country I am most familiar with. NO! There is no way an Atheist, Agnostic, Gnostic, etc. will ever be elected to the Presidency in my life time unless some major changes in collective thinking were to take place. We are still letting zealots like Rick Perry run...and he was doing good there for a while. Most Americans falsely believe that the U.S. was founded on Christian ideals. Therefore, I will be shocked if any other than a Christian is elected. The House just spent an entire day voting on whether or not to "renew" the National Motto of "In God We Trust." Which is hilarious considering that it did not become the motto until the mid-1950s, around the same time that "under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance.

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7. 70

   Abhaque Supanjangposted 13 years ago

   It depends. If you ask this questions to someone from a communist country, he will answer, no for they have their own standardization in electing the one that will rule them. But in Islamic country, being a religious one is a must is one want to win an election, else people will kick them away. Islam and government can not be separated in Islam; both of them have to support one and another. As the examples: Islam prohibit adultery, gambling, riba (in banking system), hard drink, and many others --- all of them have to be supported and backed up by the government; else the chaos will happen. Every Muslim respect Al-Qur'an and Hadith as the main guidance for their live much more than other laws.

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8. 81

   Doc Snowposted 13 years ago

   It totally depends upon where the election is.
   
   According to this list, there have been several, including former British Prime Minister Clement Atlee and former French President Georges Clemenceau:
   
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_at … cs_and_law
   
   The most surprising to me:  apparently Jesse Ventura, former (Republican!) governor of Minnesota, is an atheist.  Either that, or somebody is "punking" Mr. Ventura. . .

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9. 68

   xethonxqposted 13 years ago

   I totally believe in the separation of church and state, but I have a feeling that most people in America expect someone running for election do have to be religious. I personally don't agree with that, but the majority probably do. I also think in America that the expectation of being Christian would be there too...again, I don't necessarily agree, but that's what I think the majority would say.

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10. 74

    IntimatEvolutionposted 13 years ago

    I don't know about how people vote in other countries, but here in America Americans tend to freak out if you don't believe in a Christian God and don't go to a church of some kind.  It's ridiculous.

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11. 74

    jainismusposted 13 years ago

    NO, but you must show the public that you are religious

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12. 80

    arksysposted 13 years ago

    i don't think so ... I personally look at the individual's background and accomplishments if any to decide if i will vote for him/her.

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