Could an atheist who called Jesus a "drunkard" be elected in your country?

[aneeshm]

A genuine question.

If there were an atheist politician (assuming such a thing can exist) in your country, and he called Jesus (or equivalent figure of reverence) a:

a) Lie,
b) Drunkard, and
c) Evil racist imperialist,

would he be electable anywhere?

More generally - would an atheist politician, running on an anti-religion platform, be electable?

Also, would it be appropriate for him (or any other politician) to make such statements, or to run on such a platform?

 

[CurtSibling]

I would love to hear some politician actually make those claims on the podium.

Going by my own nation (UK), it seems that most people who seek office will say what they are expected to say.
Then the British public will wearily nod in agreement. We have heard all the lies and spin before. And after
a decade of Phony Tony Bliar, we are even more used to the 'script' being spoken and nothing being done.

...

 

[Erik Mesoy]

Here in Norway? Sure.

 

[Stewbert 08]

A genuine question.

If there were an atheist politician (assuming such a thing can exist) in your country, and he called Jesus (or equivalent figure of reverence) a:

a) Lie,
b) Drunkard, and
c) Evil racist imperialist,

would he be electable anywhere?

More generally - would an atheist politician, running on an anti-religion platform, be electable?

Also, would it be appropriate for him (or any other politician) to make such statements, or to run on such a platform?

I know you have some point to make about some Indian politician who called Ramakandra or whatever a drunkard and you're pissed about it, but since I don't care I'll just take your q at face value.

I WISH we were able to elect an open atheist of ANY kind to the Preznitcy in this country.

 

[JollyRoger]

Nope. We only elect people that were formerly drunkard atheists.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Are you referring to someone in particular?

Anyways, I would not use someone's atheism as a reason not to vote for them (although there is a better than average chance that his views and mine would differ enough for me not to vote for him for that reason) but I don't know if he could get elected in the US. I am not sure anyone has really tried.

And aneeshm, do the Hindus in your country just not vote? It seems like (according to you) every politician is doing everything they can to piss off the group that after all makes up the vast majority of the electorate.

 

[warpus]

If it was said in passing, as a joke, perhaps, then I don't think it would affect his/her chances here, in Canada.

In Poland, it probably would.

 

[Riffraff]

we've had an open atheist as chancellor aswell as many ministers, though I doubt they would have reached such high positions with any of such statements.

 

[warpus]

we've had an open atheist as chancellor aswell as many ministers, though I doubt they would have reached such high positions with any of such statements.

Who was the atheist, Kohl?

 

[aneeshm]

Are you referring to someone in particular?

Anyways, I would not use someone's atheism as a reason not to vote for them (although there is a better than average chance that his views and mine would differ enough for me not to vote for him for that reason) but I don't know if he could get elected in the US. I am not sure anyone has really tried.

Well, imagine that some politician called the Prophet of Mormonism (I forgot his name, forgive me) some disgusting names. Would you vote for him then?

And aneeshm, do the Hindus in your country just not vote? It seems like (according to you) every politician is doing everything they can to piss off the group that after all makes up the vast majority of the electorate.

Most people are apathetic. Only when something like this happens do people actually bother to get off their butts and vote out the people like this.

And it's not every politician - it's a bunch whose power is being broken as we speak. Basically, the Communists, the atheist racial supremacists, and the Congress.

They've done it this time, though. You do not attack Rama and live to tell the tale. You do that, he kicks your ass.

 

[Hitti-Litti]

Well, if this guy got elected in Finland, an atheist calling Jesus a drunkard would get elected.

 

[Angst]

Nevvah evvah.

 

[Elrohir]

Maybe for a local position in a really liberal part of the country, but probably not for a national position like Representative or Senator, and definitely not for President.

 

[Babbler]

What does the factuality of a religious figure have to do with the operation of a country today? If you can run the country well, I don't care how religious or irreligious you are.

What is meant by an "anti-religious" platform? Currently, the Ontario Liberal premier is successfully running against extending funding for non-catholic faith based schools. The leader of the ADQ of Quebec became leader of the opposition in part running against "reasonable accommodation" for religious minorities. Does that count as "anti-religious"?

 

[shortguy]

Would such a person be electable? No.

Should such a person be electable? No. Such statements display a disdain for others' opinions, a lack of tact, a lack of sense, and a proclivity for inflamatory statements, none of which I want in a leader.

 

[Fuzzz]

Yes he would and he would get a lot of media attention when doing this...
Perfct example is the politician who was drunk when he celebrated his victory during the elections, eversince he's an icon in Belgium.

 

[Riffraff]

Who was the atheist, Kohl?

Nope it was Schröder.

Don't think he actually said he was atheist, but he was the first chancellor to not use the usual reference to god when being sworn into his office.

 

[LucyDuke]

Would such a person be electable? No.

Should such a person be electable? No. Such statements display a disdain for others' opinions, a lack of tact, a lack of sense, and a proclivity for inflamatory statements, none of which I want in a leader.

I agree with this.

Except that if among otherwise equally-(un)qualified candidates, one of 'em was this much of an ass, I'd vote for him just for the hell of it.

EDIT: Run on such a platform? You're asking if it would be okay for someone to run on a platform of "Jesus was a lie and a drunk evil racist imperialist"? That's a platform to run on?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Except that if among otherwise equally-(un)qualified candidates, one of 'em was this much of an ass, I'd vote for him just for the hell of it.

True, a candidate must do what (s)he can to stand out in the minds of the voters.

 

[amadeus]

Could Alan Keyes get elected in San Francisco?