'Do you realize that you live in a country where an atheist can not even hope to run for the presidency?'
"It should stay that way forever too."
Our Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is effectively the only one keeping the Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron in power here in the UK.
Nick Clegg is leader of the Liberal Democrats. He's also an Atheist.
The USA has had a Catholic president (JFK). And now a black president (Barack Obama). If you'd asked an Alabaman and/or Georgian 50 or so years ago that in the future they'd have a black man in the White House, as Leader of the Free World and C-in-C of the most technologically advanced armed forces on the planet (to say nothing of sole authority - and responsibility - of the world's biggest nuclear arsenal. Two Words: 'The Football'.), they'd say 'Impossible!'
November 2008 was the date in which the 'impossible' happened: the election of the first black President of the USA.
To the person who asked the question of NephilimFree, I'll say this: with Barack Obama in the White House, nothing's impossible. Remember: Nick Clegg is the only one keeping the Conservative government here in the UK in power. He's an Atheist.
As for you, NephilimFree, just consider the old saying in political circles here in the UK: 'A week is a long time in Parliament'. 50-60 years is forever (certainly in US socio-politics). Obama's in the White House.
Taking into account JFK (Catholic) & Obama (black), how long before the US does indeed get it's first Atheist president? Considering who's in power now, the only conclusion one can make is this:
Nothing's impossible.
@Marcus
'Do you realize that you live in a country where an atheist can not even hope to run for the presidency?'
"The 6th Article of the Constitution diagrees with you."
Indeed. Certainly with NephilimFree (emphasis added):
'The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.'
And indeed, here in the UK, things are much simpler re. laws regarding eligibility for running for Parliament:
http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/elections/standing/
1- Must be over 18
2- Must be a citizen of the UK (or at least the Commonwealth)
3- Must pay a £500 deposit
4- ?????
5- PROFIT! (certainly if you're elected as an MP)
And as you can see NephilimFree, absolutely no rule stating you must be religious in any way, shape or form. Ergo, Nick Clegg as Deputy Prime Minister. Q.E.D., bitch.
