Would you vote for a gay or atheist president?

[bushforever]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with.  

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

[bushforever]

Yeah, are you kidding? Of course gays do that often enough for it to prevent them from holding office!

And atheists would ban religion, just like Christian presidents ban Judaism and JFK banned everything but Catholicism, right?

Bushforever is a really rational guy, folks - kind of like Bush himself.

Atheists are trying to ban religion already.  Take a law class.  No student-led prayers at football games.  An attempt to remove it from the pledge.  Attempts to disallow prayers at public places.  No prayers or pastors at graduation ceremonies.  No nativity scenes.  The whole politically correct aura of "Happy Holidays."

You are steryotyping all athiests. Most athiests just want to live their lives away from religion, but they respect the right of others to pray and sing Christmas carols. At public school, there should be no public prayers. Don't favor certain religions. It's common sense, IMHO.

Yes, but student-led prayers at football games where most everyone agrees and prays.  And what about my right to pray individually or quote the bible at school.  Or not teaching evolution.  If you get an atheist president, you will get all these complaining atheist special interests groups trying to have the president inflict their views on the country.

I don't have a problem with you sitting at your desk praying. Just it shouldn't be lead by anyone. If you and some friends want to pray in a corner during lunch, be my guest. If we have a Christian President, wouldn't we have Christian special interest groups trying to inflict their views?

What is so bad about science?

Not all science is true.

And if I want to preach to the crowd and lead a prayer, I should be able to.  And it does not matter about religious special interest groups trying to inflict their views, because religion is a part of our country not atheism.  I have no problem with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus...whatever.  If any of those people want to lead prayers, go right ahead.  I don't have to follow, and neither do they if it's a Christian prayer.  It's important to be acceptful and tolerant and try to relate to the words of spirit they have to offer.  It's just atheists I have issues with.

Not all science is true, but learning commonly accepted scientific theory cannot harm you in any way.

Lead your prayer in church, or somewhere that isn't school ground.

You say it's important to be acceptful and tolerant, yet you hate gays and atheists?

It also doesn't hurt to believe in God.

This is America.  I can lead prayer wherever I want.  

It's important to be acceptful and tolerant of OTHER RELIGIONS.

It doesn't hurt not to believe in him.

I really have a problem with your assumption that athiests are morally worse than everyone else. You won't tolerate athiests because you don't believe in them?

Actually it could hurt not to believe in Him or have some sort of personal relationship with Him if you're talking about your heaven & hell thing.

And I wont tolerate atheists because they lack spirituality and are attempting to remove it from our country.

But, IMHO, going to heaven or hell matters more about whether you lead a good life than if you live a spiritual one.

Doesn't Christianity teach tolerance?
A few athiests want to remove it from our country. A few republicans want to kill abortion doctors. Yet do you see me accusing 60 million people of being murderers?

OK, good for you.  But I'm just saying it can't hurt to believe in God AND live a good life, even if the heaven/hell thing doesn't matter.  Why not??

I bet if I did a survey of atheists, I bet most would favor removing God from the pledge, removing nativity scenes, removing public prayer, etc.  It makes them feel uncomfortable.

You do that. Ask Kemperor first, he's athiest.
You have no ing clue how things make athiests feel.

And you have no clue how things make religious people feel.

[Akno21]

Are atheists the new black?

LOL. Good one.

[Akno21]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with.  

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

Athiesm is a choice based on information and beliefs a person gathers.
Homosexuality is a natural thing, and it also can be established at an early age, like 1 or 2.

[bushforever]

Yeah, are you kidding? Of course gays do that often enough for it to prevent them from holding office!

And atheists would ban religion, just like Christian presidents ban Judaism and JFK banned everything but Catholicism, right?

Bushforever is a really rational guy, folks - kind of like Bush himself.

Atheists are trying to ban religion already.  Take a law class.  No student-led prayers at football games.  An attempt to remove it from the pledge.  Attempts to disallow prayers at public places.  No prayers or pastors at graduation ceremonies.  No nativity scenes.  The whole politically correct aura of "Happy Holidays."

You are steryotyping all athiests. Most athiests just want to live their lives away from religion, but they respect the right of others to pray and sing Christmas carols. At public school, there should be no public prayers. Don't favor certain religions. It's common sense, IMHO.

Yes, but student-led prayers at football games where most everyone agrees and prays.  And what about my right to pray individually or quote the bible at school.  Or not teaching evolution.  If you get an atheist president, you will get all these complaining atheist special interests groups trying to have the president inflict their views on the country.

I don't have a problem with you sitting at your desk praying. Just it shouldn't be lead by anyone. If you and some friends want to pray in a corner during lunch, be my guest. If we have a Christian President, wouldn't we have Christian special interest groups trying to inflict their views?

What is so bad about science?

Not all science is true.

And if I want to preach to the crowd and lead a prayer, I should be able to.  And it does not matter about religious special interest groups trying to inflict their views, because religion is a part of our country not atheism.  I have no problem with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus...whatever.  If any of those people want to lead prayers, go right ahead.  I don't have to follow, and neither do they if it's a Christian prayer.  It's important to be acceptful and tolerant and try to relate to the words of spirit they have to offer.  It's just atheists I have issues with.

Not all science is true, but learning commonly accepted scientific theory cannot harm you in any way.

Lead your prayer in church, or somewhere that isn't school ground.

You say it's important to be acceptful and tolerant, yet you hate gays and atheists?

It also doesn't hurt to believe in God.

This is America.  I can lead prayer wherever I want. 

It's important to be acceptful and tolerant of OTHER RELIGIONS.

Except belief systems you don't like, right?

Except lack of religion or religious principles.

Which leads me back to my point. Religion and Policy shouldn't mix because they don't mix. Whether I pray or not has NO effect on whether I support a certain environmental policy.

But my point is having a president who has a personal relationship with God makes the country stronger because the president is spiritually whole.  Kind of like Bush.  He also knows it is more important to act with his heart, not people's taxes.  

I know I for one would not be in any way weaker with an athiest President than my community currently is with Bush.

Your heart can't think. Act with your brain.

You're spirtuality should be what guides your brain.  I sure wouldn't want a president who acts strictly on brain impulses.

Why don't we just vote for the Bible for President then?

No, because I am open to a Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, or Muslim president as well.  If you don't have a spirit, you aren't fit to be president of "one nation under God."  

[Akno21]

Yeah, are you kidding? Of course gays do that often enough for it to prevent them from holding office!

And atheists would ban religion, just like Christian presidents ban Judaism and JFK banned everything but Catholicism, right?

Bushforever is a really rational guy, folks - kind of like Bush himself.

Atheists are trying to ban religion already.  Take a law class.  No student-led prayers at football games.  An attempt to remove it from the pledge.  Attempts to disallow prayers at public places.  No prayers or pastors at graduation ceremonies.  No nativity scenes.  The whole politically correct aura of "Happy Holidays."

You are steryotyping all athiests. Most athiests just want to live their lives away from religion, but they respect the right of others to pray and sing Christmas carols. At public school, there should be no public prayers. Don't favor certain religions. It's common sense, IMHO.

Yes, but student-led prayers at football games where most everyone agrees and prays.  And what about my right to pray individually or quote the bible at school.  Or not teaching evolution.  If you get an atheist president, you will get all these complaining atheist special interests groups trying to have the president inflict their views on the country.

I don't have a problem with you sitting at your desk praying. Just it shouldn't be lead by anyone. If you and some friends want to pray in a corner during lunch, be my guest. If we have a Christian President, wouldn't we have Christian special interest groups trying to inflict their views?

What is so bad about science?

Not all science is true.

And if I want to preach to the crowd and lead a prayer, I should be able to.  And it does not matter about religious special interest groups trying to inflict their views, because religion is a part of our country not atheism.  I have no problem with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus...whatever.  If any of those people want to lead prayers, go right ahead.  I don't have to follow, and neither do they if it's a Christian prayer.  It's important to be acceptful and tolerant and try to relate to the words of spirit they have to offer.  It's just atheists I have issues with.

Not all science is true, but learning commonly accepted scientific theory cannot harm you in any way.

Lead your prayer in church, or somewhere that isn't school ground.

You say it's important to be acceptful and tolerant, yet you hate gays and atheists?

It also doesn't hurt to believe in God.

This is America.  I can lead prayer wherever I want.  

It's important to be acceptful and tolerant of OTHER RELIGIONS.

It doesn't hurt not to believe in him.

I really have a problem with your assumption that athiests are morally worse than everyone else. You won't tolerate athiests because you don't believe in them?

Actually it could hurt not to believe in Him or have some sort of personal relationship with Him if you're talking about your heaven & hell thing.

And I wont tolerate atheists because they lack spirituality and are attempting to remove it from our country.

But, IMHO, going to heaven or hell matters more about whether you lead a good life than if you live a spiritual one.

Doesn't Christianity teach tolerance?
A few athiests want to remove it from our country. A few republicans want to kill abortion doctors. Yet do you see me accusing 60 million people of being murderers?

OK, good for you.  But I'm just saying it can't hurt to believe in God AND live a good life, even if the heaven/hell thing doesn't matter.  Why not??

I bet if I did a survey of atheists, I bet most would favor removing God from the pledge, removing nativity scenes, removing public prayer, etc.  It makes them feel uncomfortable.

You do that. Ask Kemperor first, he's athiest.
You have no ing clue how things make athiests feel.

And you have no clue how things make religious people feel.

I'm not athiest.

[bushforever]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with.  

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

Athiesm is a choice based on information and beliefs a person gathers.
Homosexuality is a natural thing, and it also can be established at an early age, like 1 or 2.

Homosexuality is a lifestyle choice.
I agree with you on what atheism is.

People should be judged on the choices they make in life, not by the color of their skin.

[bushforever]

Yeah, are you kidding? Of course gays do that often enough for it to prevent them from holding office!

And atheists would ban religion, just like Christian presidents ban Judaism and JFK banned everything but Catholicism, right?

Bushforever is a really rational guy, folks - kind of like Bush himself.

Atheists are trying to ban religion already.  Take a law class.  No student-led prayers at football games.  An attempt to remove it from the pledge.  Attempts to disallow prayers at public places.  No prayers or pastors at graduation ceremonies.  No nativity scenes.  The whole politically correct aura of "Happy Holidays."

You are steryotyping all athiests. Most athiests just want to live their lives away from religion, but they respect the right of others to pray and sing Christmas carols. At public school, there should be no public prayers. Don't favor certain religions. It's common sense, IMHO.

Yes, but student-led prayers at football games where most everyone agrees and prays.  And what about my right to pray individually or quote the bible at school.  Or not teaching evolution.  If you get an atheist president, you will get all these complaining atheist special interests groups trying to have the president inflict their views on the country.

I don't have a problem with you sitting at your desk praying. Just it shouldn't be lead by anyone. If you and some friends want to pray in a corner during lunch, be my guest. If we have a Christian President, wouldn't we have Christian special interest groups trying to inflict their views?

What is so bad about science?

Not all science is true.

And if I want to preach to the crowd and lead a prayer, I should be able to.  And it does not matter about religious special interest groups trying to inflict their views, because religion is a part of our country not atheism.  I have no problem with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus...whatever.  If any of those people want to lead prayers, go right ahead.  I don't have to follow, and neither do they if it's a Christian prayer.  It's important to be acceptful and tolerant and try to relate to the words of spirit they have to offer.  It's just atheists I have issues with.

Not all science is true, but learning commonly accepted scientific theory cannot harm you in any way.

Lead your prayer in church, or somewhere that isn't school ground.

You say it's important to be acceptful and tolerant, yet you hate gays and atheists?

It also doesn't hurt to believe in God.

This is America.  I can lead prayer wherever I want.  

It's important to be acceptful and tolerant of OTHER RELIGIONS.

It doesn't hurt not to believe in him.

I really have a problem with your assumption that athiests are morally worse than everyone else. You won't tolerate athiests because you don't believe in them?

Actually it could hurt not to believe in Him or have some sort of personal relationship with Him if you're talking about your heaven & hell thing.

And I wont tolerate atheists because they lack spirituality and are attempting to remove it from our country.

But, IMHO, going to heaven or hell matters more about whether you lead a good life than if you live a spiritual one.

Doesn't Christianity teach tolerance?
A few athiests want to remove it from our country. A few republicans want to kill abortion doctors. Yet do you see me accusing 60 million people of being murderers?

OK, good for you.  But I'm just saying it can't hurt to believe in God AND live a good life, even if the heaven/hell thing doesn't matter.  Why not??

I bet if I did a survey of atheists, I bet most would favor removing God from the pledge, removing nativity scenes, removing public prayer, etc.  It makes them feel uncomfortable.

You do that. Ask Kemperor first, he's athiest.
You have no ing clue how things make athiests feel.

And you have no clue how things make religious people feel.

I'm not athiest.

Yes, but you still don't know what I feel inside.  No one knows what people truly feel inside.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with. 

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

How does one learn to be atheist or gay?
If you're really atheist or gay, you don't have much of a choice. You can't force yourself to be someone that you're not.

[bushforever]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with. 

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

How does one learn to be atheist or gay?
If you're really atheist or gay, you don't have much of a choice. You can't force yourself to be someone that you're not.

Homosexuality is a sexual lifestyle choice.
Atheism is a choice one makes from the information they receive or whatever akno said.

[Cashcow]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with. 

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

How does one learn to be atheist or gay?
If you're really atheist or gay, you don't have much of a choice. You can't force yourself to be someone that you're not.

Hey JFRAUDSTUPIDLOSERLOL, you're not a Republican! Republicans understand that this is just the way it is. Even though they have no actual reason to believe that homosexuality is a choice, it justifies their hatred. So I guess we're just ignorant.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with. 

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

How does one learn to be atheist or gay?
If you're really atheist or gay, you don't have much of a choice. You can't force yourself to be someone that you're not.

Homosexuality is a sexual lifestyle choice.
Atheism is a choice one makes from the information they receive or whatever akno said.

Being gay is not a choice.
If you're not brought up religiously, then religion seems unnatural.
You do have a choice on whether you hide the proceeding or not.

[bushforever]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with. 

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

How does one learn to be atheist or gay?
If you're really atheist or gay, you don't have much of a choice. You can't force yourself to be someone that you're not.

Homosexuality is a sexual lifestyle choice.
Atheism is a choice one makes from the information they receive or whatever akno said.

Being gay is not a choice.
If you're not brought up religiously, then religion seems unnatural.
You do have a choice on whether you hide the proceeding or not.

Being gay is a choice
Your religion is a choice

America is full of choices.

[Gabu]

Atheism is a choice one makes from the information they receive or whatever akno said.

I wouldn't really call it a choice.  Almost every atheist I've known believed it purely because it made sense to that person.  It's not as if they woke up one morning and were like, "I'm going to be an atheist!  Take that, Christians!"

[bushforever]

Atheism is a choice one makes from the information they receive or whatever akno said.

I wouldn't really call it a choice.  Almost every atheist I've known believed it purely because it made sense to that person.  It's not as if they woke up one morning and were like, "I'm going to be an atheist!  Take that, Christians!"

Choice, decision, conclusion...whatever you want to call it.  My point is people should be judged by these things, not things they were literally born with, like skin color.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with. 

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

How does one learn to be atheist or gay?
If you're really atheist or gay, you don't have much of a choice. You can't force yourself to be someone that you're not.

Homosexuality is a sexual lifestyle choice.
Atheism is a choice one makes from the information they receive or whatever akno said.

Being gay is not a choice.
If you're not brought up religiously, then religion seems unnatural.
You do have a choice on whether you hide the proceeding or not.

Being gay is a choice
Your religion is a choice

America is full of choices.

Who you pursue love or sex with is a choice.
What sort of people you fundmentally find attractive is not.

Going to church is a choice.
Whether you belive is not a choice.

Pretending to be someone you're not is a choice.

Being tolerant of people who are different people, or have made different choices, is a choice.

[bushforever]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with. 

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

How does one learn to be atheist or gay?
If you're really atheist or gay, you don't have much of a choice. You can't force yourself to be someone that you're not.

Homosexuality is a sexual lifestyle choice.
Atheism is a choice one makes from the information they receive or whatever akno said.

Being gay is not a choice.
If you're not brought up religiously, then religion seems unnatural.
You do have a choice on whether you hide the proceeding or not.

Being gay is a choice
Your religion is a choice

America is full of choices.

Who you pursue love or sex with is a choice.
What sort of people you fundmentally find attractive is not.

Going to church is a choice.
Whether you belive is not a choice.

Pretending to be someone you're not is a choice.

Being tolerant of people who are different people, or have made different choices, is a choice.

Sorry.

Atheism is a choice.
Homosexuality is a choice.

[bushforever]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with. 

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

How does one learn to be atheist or gay?
If you're really atheist or gay, you don't have much of a choice. You can't force yourself to be someone that you're not.

Homosexuality is a sexual lifestyle choice.
Atheism is a choice one makes from the information they receive or whatever akno said.

Being gay is not a choice.
If you're not brought up religiously, then religion seems unnatural.
You do have a choice on whether you hide the proceeding or not.

Being gay is a choice
Your religion is a choice

America is full of choices.

Who you pursue love or sex with is a choice.
What sort of people you fundmentally find attractive is not.

Going to church is a choice.
Whether you belive is not a choice.

Pretending to be someone you're not is a choice.

Being tolerant of people who are different people, or have made different choices, is a choice.

Sorry.

Atheism is a choice.
Homosexuality is a choice.

We could go on all night with this.  But we obviously have different viewpoints and aren't going to change one another's views.  So let's drop it.

[J-Mann]

Sorry.

Atheism is a choice.
Homosexuality is a choice.

Atheism is a choice, though it's not usually something that someone decides in an instant.  Therefore, I can see why some would think it is not a choice.

But I've got to take issue with you on homosexuality.  I don't know how many gay people you personally know, but it is absolutely not a choice.  To many, it comes as a realization.

I know several homosexuals who stayed locked up in the closet for years; they had girlfriends, they went on dates, they had straight sex - they pretended to be heterosexual, all the while knowing that they weren't.  One friend of mine knew how he felt about men and women since he was five years old.  At that age, he wasn't choosing a lifestyle - he was realizing what he was attracted to on a level deeper than choice.

My question to you is this: why would anyone choose to be gay?  Not being gay myself, I can't speak for the sexual pleasure aspect of homosexuality (which seems to be the reason why most right-wingers think gays are gay), but there are so many negatives.  How will the family react?  What about friends?  If you're openly gay, you're a target, open to all sorts of discrimination and hatred.  So why would anyone choose that?

The truth is, they wouldn't.  Being gay is something deeper than a choice.  It's not like deciding what to wear or what to eat.  The only choice is choosing to reveal one's homosexuality.  Republicans usually say they champion individuality, right?  Well, we'd hate for one not to be themselves, now wouldn't we?

[opebo]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with. 

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

How does one learn to be atheist or gay?
If you're really atheist or gay, you don't have much of a choice. You can't force yourself to be someone that you're not.

Homosexuality is a sexual lifestyle choice.
Atheism is a choice one makes from the information they receive or whatever akno said.

Being gay is not a choice.
If you're not brought up religiously, then religion seems unnatural.
You do have a choice on whether you hide the proceeding or not.

Being gay is a choice
Your religion is a choice

America is full of choices.

Who you pursue love or sex with is a choice.
What sort of people you fundmentally find attractive is not.

Going to church is a choice.
Whether you belive is not a choice.

Pretending to be someone you're not is a choice.

Being tolerant of people who are different people, or have made different choices, is a choice.

Sorry.

Atheism is a choice.
Homosexuality is a choice.

It is a moot point whether these things are choices - the important factor is that atheism is superior to religion, and homosexuality is neither better nor worse than heterosexuality.  As in, if they are choices, the former is a better choice, and the latter is at least as good.  In fact being hetero is the lazy/easy way out - proud and open homosexuals are certainly a bit tougher and have a bit more backbone to face a disapproving society of hate-mongers. 

[afleitch]

I agree. In the UK no one really bats an eyelid when it comes to sexuality in politics. For example, Tony Blairs closest confidante, former Northern Irealnd Secretary and European Commissioner, Peter Mandelson is a prime example. While not popular, he is unpopular because of his influence over Blair, nothing more. Former Culture Secretart, Chris Smith was Britains first openly gay MP and an Junior Education Minister, Stephen Twigg is a rising star, and Conservative frontbencher Alan Duncan, also gay is possible leadership material. I would certainly vote for either Twigg or Duncan for what they believe in. You need a great amount of courage and strength to be openly gay and work your way up in politics.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Yeah, are you kidding? Of course gays do that often enough for it to prevent them from holding office!

And atheists would ban religion, just like Christian presidents ban Judaism and JFK banned everything but Catholicism, right?

Bushforever is a really rational guy, folks - kind of like Bush himself.

Atheists are trying to ban religion already.  Take a law class.  No student-led prayers at football games.  An attempt to remove it from the pledge.  Attempts to disallow prayers at public places.  No prayers or pastors at graduation ceremonies.  No nativity scenes.  The whole politically correct aura of "Happy Holidays."

You are steryotyping all athiests. Most athiests just want to live their lives away from religion, but they respect the right of others to pray and sing Christmas carols. At public school, there should be no public prayers. Don't favor certain religions. It's common sense, IMHO.

Yes, but student-led prayers at football games where most everyone agrees and prays.  And what about my right to pray individually or quote the bible at school.  Or not teaching evolution.  If you get an atheist president, you will get all these complaining atheist special interests groups trying to have the president inflict their views on the country.

I don't have a problem with you sitting at your desk praying. Just it shouldn't be lead by anyone. If you and some friends want to pray in a corner during lunch, be my guest. If we have a Christian President, wouldn't we have Christian special interest groups trying to inflict their views?

What is so bad about science?

Not all science is true.

And if I want to preach to the crowd and lead a prayer, I should be able to.  And it does not matter about religious special interest groups trying to inflict their views, because religion is a part of our country not atheism.  I have no problem with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus...whatever.  If any of those people want to lead prayers, go right ahead.  I don't have to follow, and neither do they if it's a Christian prayer.  It's important to be acceptful and tolerant and try to relate to the words of spirit they have to offer.  It's just atheists I have issues with.

Not all science is true, but learning commonly accepted scientific theory cannot harm you in any way.

Lead your prayer in church, or somewhere that isn't school ground.

You say it's important to be acceptful and tolerant, yet you hate gays and atheists?

It also doesn't hurt to believe in God.

This is America.  I can lead prayer wherever I want. 

It's important to be acceptful and tolerant of OTHER RELIGIONS.

Except belief systems you don't like, right?

Except lack of religion or religious principles.

Which leads me back to my point. Religion and Policy shouldn't mix because they don't mix. Whether I pray or not has NO effect on whether I support a certain environmental policy.

But my point is having a president who has a personal relationship with God makes the country stronger because the president is spiritually whole.  Kind of like Bush.  He also knows it is more important to act with his heart, not people's taxes.  

I know I for one would not be in any way weaker with an athiest President than my community currently is with Bush.

Your heart can't think. Act with your brain.

You're spirtuality should be what guides your brain.  I sure wouldn't want a president who acts strictly on brain impulses.

Why don't we just vote for the Bible for President then?

No, because I am open to a Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, or Muslim president as well.  If you don't have a spirit, you aren't fit to be president of "one nation under God."  

Interesting discussion guys. 

Anyway, I'm perosnally offended by what you say.  So, I don't give myself up to a faith, I have no soul?  This is why the religious right make agnostics/atheists cringe.  You people are simply not open to anything other than what has been drilled into your head.  Some Christians (mind you without any kind of physical proof) say that it is IMPOSSIBLE for ANYTHING in the Bible to be inaccurate, and most believe that to some certain degree.  And worst of all, you guys, although have given the rest of the religions a break, still are very intolerant of atheists.  You don't need to have an official religion to be able to acknowledge something higher than you.  I personally believe the will of each individual is above all.  You find anything wrong than that.  I believe that even if there actually is a God, what I want is STILL more important than what it wants.  And not only me.  You, me, everybody's will and rights is more important than a God that doesn't even make itself known.  Alot of atheists and agnostics share this kind of view, and it guides them to make the best decision for everybody.  That's why I think an atheist would be a great president anyway. 

[Akno21]

Sorry.

Atheism is a choice.
Homosexuality is a choice.

Atheism is a choice, though it's not usually something that someone decides in an instant.  Therefore, I can see why some would think it is not a choice.

But I've got to take issue with you on homosexuality.  I don't know how many gay people you personally know, but it is absolutely not a choice.  To many, it comes as a realization.

I know several homosexuals who stayed locked up in the closet for years; they had girlfriends, they went on dates, they had straight sex - they pretended to be heterosexual, all the while knowing that they weren't.  One friend of mine knew how he felt about men and women since he was five years old.  At that age, he wasn't choosing a lifestyle - he was realizing what he was attracted to on a level deeper than choice.

My question to you is this: why would anyone choose to be gay?  Not being gay myself, I can't speak for the sexual pleasure aspect of homosexuality (which seems to be the reason why most right-wingers think gays are gay), but there are so many negatives.  How will the family react?  What about friends?  If you're openly gay, you're a target, open to all sorts of discrimination and hatred.  So why would anyone choose that?

The truth is, they wouldn't.  Being gay is something deeper than a choice.  It's not like deciding what to wear or what to eat.  The only choice is choosing to reveal one's homosexuality.  Republicans usually say they champion individuality, right?  Well, we'd hate for one not to be themselves, now wouldn't we?

I agree completely. In our society, being gay cannot help you, it can only hurt, or hopefully be a non-issue.

Why can't you be a Democrat, you'd be such a good asset

[dazzleman]

Sorry.

Atheism is a choice.
Homosexuality is a choice.

Atheism is a choice, though it's not usually something that someone decides in an instant.  Therefore, I can see why some would think it is not a choice.

But I've got to take issue with you on homosexuality.  I don't know how many gay people you personally know, but it is absolutely not a choice.  To many, it comes as a realization.

I know several homosexuals who stayed locked up in the closet for years; they had girlfriends, they went on dates, they had straight sex - they pretended to be heterosexual, all the while knowing that they weren't.  One friend of mine knew how he felt about men and women since he was five years old.  At that age, he wasn't choosing a lifestyle - he was realizing what he was attracted to on a level deeper than choice.

My question to you is this: why would anyone choose to be gay?  Not being gay myself, I can't speak for the sexual pleasure aspect of homosexuality (which seems to be the reason why most right-wingers think gays are gay), but there are so many negatives.  How will the family react?  What about friends?  If you're openly gay, you're a target, open to all sorts of discrimination and hatred.  So why would anyone choose that?

The truth is, they wouldn't.  Being gay is something deeper than a choice.  It's not like deciding what to wear or what to eat.  The only choice is choosing to reveal one's homosexuality.  Republicans usually say they champion individuality, right?  Well, we'd hate for one not to be themselves, now wouldn't we?

J-Mann, I agree with you.  I think it's wrong for people to say that homosexuality is a choice.  The choice is whether to act on it, or reveal it.

Having said that, I can't really say that I think homosexuality is as desirable as heterosexuality.  I know it's politically incorrect to say that, but I think that most people, even those who are publicly tolerant of homosexuality, believe that deep down.  Of all the non-gay people who are sympathetic to the gay agenda, how many would actually want one of their kids to be gay?  They may accept it if it happened, but the vast majority would prefer otherwise.  Almost nobody would choose it.

I am glad that we have reached the point where we don't unquestioningly discriminate against gays for something that they didn't choose.  As I said, I would vote for a gay candidate provided that his/her sexuality was not the centerpiece of the campaign, but I think that outside of San Francisco and Greenwich Village, homosexuality would be a major political liability.

[Smash255]

Are atheists the new black?

No because being black is not a choice.  You should respect people of all colors, because that's what they were born with. 

Atheism and homosexuality are learned actions, and reveal the true morale of a person.

How does one learn to be atheist or gay?
If you're really atheist or gay, you don't have much of a choice. You can't force yourself to be someone that you're not.

Homosexuality is a sexual lifestyle choice.
Atheism is a choice one makes from the information they receive or whatever akno said.

Being gay is not a choice.
If you're not brought up religiously, then religion seems unnatural.
You do have a choice on whether you hide the proceeding or not.

Being gay is a choice
Your religion is a choice

America is full of choices.

Being gay isn't a choice.  just like being heterosexual isn't a choice.

Did you choose to be a heterosexual??  Or did the bulge in your pants when you saw a hot girl make that decison for you??  I didn't suddenly say I'm going to choose to be a heterosexual.  The thing inb my pants made that up for me.  Same thing with gays.

People regardless what their sexual orientation don't decide who they are attracted to, their bodies tell them.