# Would you refuse to vote for a candidate based solely on his/her religion? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 4, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109 "2006-07-04T00:35:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2006, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/41 "2006-07-04T19:35:00Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Do you mean [Chick-fil-A?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-Fil-A) (Only fast-food chain I know that closes on Sundays. Tasty sandwiches, though!) Yes. The old gods forgive me, but they make a darn tasty sandwich (if only they’d leave off the pickle!) > [@Der Trihs](#): > > What kind of druid ? Orthodox, Zen or Reform ? Reconstructionist - Bring back headhunting, human sacrifice, and slash & burn farming. Wait, aside from _maybe_ the headhunting, that’s not so different from the Bush administration \ > [@Oakminster](#): > > For me, it depends on the nature of the “religion”. Scientology is out. Ditto Jehovah Witness, Snake Handlers, Fundie Christians and other cult-like groups that don’t make any damn sense. Note that I have no problem with people worshipping broomsticks if that’s what they’re into…but I’m not going to vote in favor of giving people like that launch authority over nuclear weapons. Just seems like a bad idea. It’s much easier to say that’d I’d vote for some nutcase to the House, where they would have a chance to prove themselves. Senate would require more… um, mainstream actions. President shouldn’t have hardlyl any power, but since he does I’d allow his professed religion to be part of the decision-making process. I think someone has held the Bush vs. Carter comparison - two totally different men with strong religious beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2006, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/42 "2006-07-04T19:47:45Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > And my point is that a fair number of people are basing their decision on if the guy strikes them as a nutcase solely on the guy’s religion. I’m often conflicted in my estimation of an individual’s faculties when their beliefs are manifestly crazy. Does holding those beliefs indicate, or at least strongly imply, that the believer is himself crazy? Presently, I just don’t know. Suffice to say, if I find an individual’s beliefs to be sufficiently bizarre as to make me _question_ their sanity, I consider that doubt sufficient to withold my support. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/43 "2006-07-04T22:31:50Z")
Not a pleasant thing to admit, but a Muslim would have to work very hard to convince me of his loyalty before I could consider voting for him. Sorry, but that’s just the way it is. On the other hand, if his opponent was a Scientologist … :eek: ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2006, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/44 "2006-07-04T22:38:39Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > I’m often conflicted in my estimation of an individual’s faculties when their beliefs are manifestly crazy. Does holding those beliefs indicate, or at least strongly imply, that the believer is himself crazy? Presently, I just don’t know. Suffice to say, if I find an individual’s beliefs to be sufficiently bizarre as to make me _question_ their sanity, I consider that doubt sufficient to withold my support. I know whatcha mean. When I come across someone who insists consciousness and intelligence are merely by-products of a random flux of atoms blindly obeying the laws of physics and chemistry, I would really have to worry about whether or not he’s fit for public office. Hint: Qualities such as “crazy” and “bizarre” can be very subjective; like beauty, they’re often very much in the eye of the beholder. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2006, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/45 "2006-07-04T23:40:15Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > I’m often conflicted in my estimation of an individual’s faculties when their beliefs are manifestly crazy. Are you familiar with the term _circular reasoning_? Read my posts and you will see that my point is that individuals determine that other individuals’ “beliefs are manifestly crazy.” It doesn’t matter if they really are. It’s a judgment call. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2006, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/46 "2006-07-05T02:13:39Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Are you familiar with the term _circular reasoning_? Read my posts and you will see that my point is that individuals determine that other individuals’ “beliefs are manifestly crazy.” It doesn’t matter if they really are. It’s a judgment call. It’s _not_ circular. Sane people can be brainwashed, or otherwise inculcated with beliefs overwhelmingly contradicted by all available evidence. One might assume that a individual harboring such beliefs could appear crazy in specific circumstances, but their general judgement could be otherwise entirely reliable. The judgement call might be the person is sane but terribly misinformed and rigid when it comes to certain ideas. Sometimes it’s not so clear cut, though. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2006, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/47 "2006-07-05T02:25:05Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Hint: Qualities such as “crazy” and “bizarre” can be very subjective; like beauty, they’re often very much in the eye of the beholder. And sometimes there’s nothing remotely subjective about it, because mountains of factual information contradict a belief, and yet some individuals, for whatever reason, can not, or will not, acknowledge the evidence and adjust their understanding accordingly. Many people confess total belief in ideas that are about as well supported as this assertion: I can defy gravity and hover several feet in the air at will. I’d say that’s objectively so wrong a notion I’d be justified in calling it “bizarre” or “crazy”. ---
**Author:** ![Othersider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/cab0a1/32.png) [@Othersider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Othersider)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2006, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/48 "2006-07-05T03:04:46Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > And my point is that for any religion there are a fair number of people who call it bizarre. How true. I would extend that to “any theological position”, though, and I think it still holds true. ---
**Author:** ![DonutSprinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@DonutSprinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DonutSprinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/49 "2006-07-06T01:23:32Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Do you mean Chick-fil-A? (Only fast-food chain I know that closes on Sundays. Tasty sandwiches, though!) > [@Bobotheoptimist](#): > > Yes. The old gods forgive me, but they make a darn tasty sandwich (if only they’d leave off the pickle!) And don’t forget the founder of Domino’s is a rabid pro-lifer! (Is there any other kind?) Before you know it, you’ll be cooking at home. Can’t you just ask them to leave off the pickle? Or do they say “Wouldn’t Jesus eat the pickle?” ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/50 "2006-07-06T01:44:02Z")
[QUOTE=DonutSprinkle] > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > And don’t forget the founder of Domino’s is a rabid pro-lifer! (Is there any other kind?) Before you know it, you’ll be cooking at home. > Can’t you just ask them to leave off the pickle? Or do they say “Wouldn’t Jesus eat the pickle?” I don’t like their pizza, so no problem there - I wouldn’t vote for Tom Monaghan, either. (You know, I should someday check to see if David Brandon/Bain Capital are carrying on Tom’s legacy. I sure can’t fault them for supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital) Jesus pickles - that made me laugh. Would they be kosher, you think? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/51 "2006-07-06T01:46:16Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > And my point is that for any religion there are a fair number of people who call it bizarre. But is that **equally** unfair in all cases? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/52 "2006-07-06T01:51:58Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Not a pleasant thing to admit, but a Muslim would have to work very hard to convince me of his loyalty before I could consider voting for him. Sorry, but that’s just the way it is. Do you mean, his loyalty to the United States? Why should a Muslim bear a higher burden of proof there than any Christian? In 1960, it seemed a reasonable objection to JFK that a Roman Catholic, owing moral and spiritual (and just arguably political) obedience to the infallible Pope of Rome, could never be a completely loyal American. Few think that way any more. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/53 "2006-07-06T01:57:22Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > I’m often conflicted in my estimation of an individual’s faculties when their beliefs are manifestly crazy. Does holding those beliefs indicate, or at least strongly imply, that the believer is himself crazy? Presently, I just don’t know. Suffice to say, if I find an individual’s beliefs to be sufficiently bizarre as to make me _question_ their sanity, I consider that doubt sufficient to withold my support. That judgment should depend, in part, on how the person in question acquired those beliefs. E.g., you were raised in a certain belief-system, questioning it might be a very hard thing to do, no matter how mentally healthy you are. Also, as Avram Davidson pointed out in “The Great Rough Beast,” his classic essay on the life of Aleister Crowley: “The human mind has compartments, and they are often watertight compartments. Are we to believe that no Communist is highly intelligent?” ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/54 "2006-07-06T01:59:30Z")
It might not be right or open minded, but I would never vote for an Evangelical/Fundie Christian, Orthodox Jew or Fundamentalist Muslim. I do not care about the religion of the candidate if their religion is secondary to serving the country. They could be a Wiccan, Mormon or Atheist and I would not care. It might be nice bonus if they were an Agnostic or Unitarian. Jim ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/55 "2006-07-06T02:00:04Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > Many people confess total belief in ideas that are about as well supported as this assertion: I can defy gravity and hover several feet in the air at will. Why, of course you can! 🙂 > [@Lazarus Long](#): > > If you pray hard enough, water will run uphill. How hard? Hard enough to make water run uphill, of course! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/56 "2006-07-06T02:01:30Z")
[QUOTE=DonutSprinkle] > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Can’t you just ask them to leave off the pickle? Or do they say “Wouldn’t Jesus eat the pickle?” Well, if it were attached to the Beloved Disciple . . . Sorry. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/57 "2006-07-06T02:30:26Z")
No Muslims. Sorry, but if they were more vocal in denouncing the extremists, maybe. But they weren’t, so, no. Also, I wouldn’t vote for an atheist. I know it’s not a religion, but I thiink that’s the type of stuff the OP is looking for. If not, please disregard. Deist? Absolutely. Agnostic? I think so. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/58 "2006-07-06T03:15:21Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Also, I wouldn’t vote for an atheist. I know it’s not a religion . . . A question we’ve debated many times in this forum, so let’s leave it aside for now. Still, please justify. Why not an atheist? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/59 "2006-07-06T03:52:27Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > A question we’ve debated many times in this forum, so let’s leave it aside for now. Still, please justify. Why not an atheist? Yeah, I know. Let’s keep this short. Although I am not religious at all, I do believe there to be a higher power. I think that is where we get the rights enumerated in the DofI from. If they are not bestowed by a higher power, they are the whims of man, and can be taken away as easily as they were invented and given. Most of the atheists I’ve encountered (mainly on this board), strong variety in particular, do not allow (by definition) for a Creator (Deist sense). Some even think the notion of religion is evil. I know it is responsible for it’s share of the world’s ills, but, on balance, I think it a positive. Plus, even if religions, as so far constructed by man, are working for ill, that does not mean that there is not a Creator. I see a logical flaw in their line of thinkiing that I’ve argued many times here before. I hope that answers your question. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109/60 "2006-07-06T03:55:58Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Yeah, I know. Let’s keep this short. Although I am not religious at all, I do believe there to be a higher power. I think that is where we get the rights enumerated in the DofI from. If they are not bestowed by a higher power, they are the whims of man, and can be taken away as easily as they were invented and given. But Jefferson said, "We hold these truths to be **self-evident."** If so, why woud they require divine sanction? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109.md?page=4)