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.
_ _ _
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.
