American Values Survey Shows Voters Think Candidates Should Have Strong Faith

[MarkCharles]

American Values Survey Shows Voters Think Candidates Should Have Strong Faith


"Even though constitutionally there's no religious test to hold the office of president, the survey clearly shows that religion plays a large part in how people vote. The candidates who would have the least chance of winning an election would be those with no religion. Respondents said they were most uncomfortable with a either a Muslim (64 percent) or an atheist (67 percent)."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/08/american-values-survey-shows-candidates-should-have-strong-faith/#ixzz1dDnMPc9I


Well, consider the source of the poll, and the source of the article, but according them "religion plays a large part in how people vote".

[HopeHoops]

1. Yeah? We'll I've got strong faith that the ones who talk about it the most are the most evil.

[hlthe2b]

2. I have strong faith....

in my dog.... She's never let me down yet, after all. Does that count? ;)

[MineralMan]

3. American Values? Fox News?

Never mind. The two are contradictions in terms.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. The Public Religion Research Institute is "dedicated to work at the intersection of religion, values

and public life".

Full report showing their polling sample is here: http://publicreligion.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/PRRI-2011-American-Values-Survey-Web.pdf

[MarkCharles]

5. Thanks for that link. There's obviously some evidence that some

voters vote with religion in mind, but I would not go as far as Fox News would go in fanning the religious flames.

[dmallind]

6. I disagree - I think it's as bad or worse than it sounds.

This survey puts atheists way closer to the "next worst" minority than every other survey I have seen on political acceptability, which typically show at least a 10% gap. When 51% would never even CONSIDER voting for a well-qualified candidate of their own party who was an atheist, it's a bit optimistic to think that only 16% more would fit in between "absolutely not" and "a bit uncomfortable". Perhaps the closeness of the worst two political pariahs is due to increased islamophobia, but I'm more likely to think this survey is a bit too optimistic re atheists.

[MarkCharles]

9. I'm certainly willing to review the data a little more in detail. You may be

quite right. Particularly about Atheists and Muslims as candidates. I have seldom if ever seen an Atheist candidate in a race, however.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

15. You've probably seen hundreds of atheist candidates

You just haven't seen any out-of-the-closet atheists run for office.

[jeepnstein]

7. First they need to define "strong faith".

Jimmy Carter is a man who, by all accounts, has an extremely deep Christian faith. I don't remember him ever donning the trappings of a religious leader and using Jesus as some sort of campaign slogan. He didn't have to.

We have some jokers out there right now who are trying to woo the evangelicals by simply lying through their teeth. And evangelicals are buying it. I'm talking about Romney, for one. It seems to me that the churches need to do a better job of teaching their flocks what is really in the Bible as opposed to the talking points they're getting from whatever source.

1 Peter 2:13-21 is often used out of context to justify all sorts of behavior including slavery. No where in that part of scripture is there any sort of justification for treating anyone with anything but love and kindness. What it tells us is that people who choose to be Christians need to accept the authority of their governments, even if it is pagan or somehow anti-Christian. We are to be good citizens as far as we can be without sinning against God and if that means being punished for our beliefs then we are to accept that punishment cheerfully. The key is that this is a voluntary submission to authority for the good of the Church and the glory of God. If we choose to speak out against the government then we should not be the least bit surprised when punishment comes our way. This is far more difficult to swallow than just crowing that we are citizens of a "Christian Nation" and somehow deserve all sorts of special treatment.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

[rrneck]

8. You can always hire one half of the poor

to kill the other half.

Religion has become a lamprey on the ass of American politics.

[ChadwickHenryWard]

10. "Lamprey on the ass"?

That's a pretty colorful metaphor. Is there some source of which I am unaware for that analogy, or is that simply the result of fruitful imagination?

[rrneck]

11. That one's mine. Sometimes I go a little over the top. nt

[ChadwickHenryWard]

12. You have quite the way with words.

I'd like to say that I will be keeping that one in reserve, but I doubt I'll ever get the proper opportunity to use it.

[rrneck]

13. Thanks. If you have occasion to use it I'd be honored. nt

[NMMNG]

14. "religion plays a large part in how people vote"

More like religious bigotry.