Atheists face voter bias: Your Say

A column about the scarcity of atheists on major-party tickets prompted a discussion about religion and politics ("Can atheists be elected? Column").

If someone were an atheist, why would he or she run on it? It would be better to stay silent on controversy.

That being said, I'd rather vote for an atheist who followed my political leanings than an alleged candidate of faith who does not follow his or her religious principles.

— John Parker

The majority of Americans believe in God. Only the most deluded liberal would expect most of the electorate to vote into office someone who is not only badly out of step with their beliefs, but also might be hostile to those beliefs.

— George Rosenshine

Why do some people think atheists are hostile to their beliefs? We are hostile only to them forcing their beliefs on us.

— Frances Lefkowitz Bookheim

Not believing in God means setting your own moral code. These people are lost, and I definitely don't trust "their" standards.

Morality comes from God. Never vote for an atheist!

— Don Westwood

Not believing in a God does not mean not having a moral code that is identical to most of the Ten Commandments.

I know many atheists who have morals superior to those of professed religious people. But America isn't ready to elect an atheist. It's a pity because a secularist could probably do a good job.

— Cindy Boardman

As an atheist, I'd much rather have a good Christian as a neighbor than an in-your-face, a my-way-is-the-only-way atheist.

— Braxton Deal