TEXAS FAITH: Could an atheist be elected president?

Belief in God does not hold a murderer, rapist, thief, misogynist, anti-Semitic, gayphobic, Islamophobic, or a racist from committing the wrong, his morality does, which is a product of living in harmony with others.

Texas Faith is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News managed by Editors William McKenzie and Wayne Slater, the material is contributed by several panelists, for all responses please visit http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/07/texas-faith-could-an-atheist-be-elected-president.html/

Could an atheist be elected president? And perhaps more to the point: Is it reasonable to hold that a president who believes in God would do a better job than one who does not?

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

There was a time, not so long ago, when fellow Americans were looked down on any one who called himself or herself an Atheist, as if that person were immoral and carried a contagious disease, and must be avoided. We have come a long way since then.

When I applied to be a member at Thanksgiving square in mid nineties, the membership was denied; they did not have a pigeonhole for an Atheist in an interfaith organization. That led me to form the Foundation for Pluralism to accommodate and value everyone's space.  

Today, Atheists are a part of every aspect of the society; however, it was a hilarious moment, when they rejected this pluralist to be part of their group, because of my belief in God.

We have to do better than this.

At least 30% of the surveyed were comfortable with Atheists. This number will gradually improve as we realize that morality is a function of co-existence, rather than a product of religion. Indeed religion itself found acceptability as it advanced the value of coexistence. Whether you are theist or an Atheist, you are a contributor and participant in public morality of the society.

There is a false sense of infidelity to God among theists that prevents them from accepting people who do not believe in God.

Is it is reasonable to hold the view that a president who believes in God would do a better job than one who does not?  No, it is not.

Belief in God does not hold a murderer, rapist, thief, misogynist, anti-Semitic, gayphobic, Islamophobic, or a racist from committing the wrong, his morality does, which is a product of living in harmony with others.

In the United States of the 16% unaffiliated, 4% identify themselves as Atheist/Agnostics (2007 Pew Survey) about the same as Jews, Muslims and Hindus combined.

It is the individual's exposure to the size of universe that determines one's open mindedness. An Atheist will be as good a President as a theist, fanaticism on both ends would be disastrous to the society.

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Please mark your calendar for Tuesday 9/11/2012, it's a big event in Dallas- details at www.UnitydayUSA.com

No American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other. There are solutions, here is a trailer of the movie in making: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMXsTo4VYh8&feature=youtu.be

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.comis updated daily.