Most Americans Would Vote For An Atheist President
Posted by Phil Ferguson on July 29th, 2012 – 1 Comment – Posted in UncategorizedBut only just barely…..
A new report from Gallup shows that 54% of Americans would be willing to vote for an atheist as president.
The results are based on a June 7-10 Gallup poll, updating a question Gallup first asked in 1937 in reference to a female, Jewish, or Catholic candidate and has asked periodically since then, with additional candidate characteristics added to the list. The question has taken on added relevance in recent years as a more diverse group of candidates has run for president. This year, Mitt Romney is poised to become the first Mormon to win a major-party presidential nomination. However, Americans’ willingness to vote for a Mormon has changed little in 45 years.
Notwithstanding the Mormon trend, Gallup’s history on this question shows growing acceptance for all other types of candidates over time. That includes atheists, whose acceptability as candidates surpassed 50% for the first time last summer but have typically ranked at the bottom of the list whenever the question has been asked.
In 1937, less than half of Americans said they would vote for a Jewish or female presidential candidate; now 90% or more would. The same applies to voting for a black candidate compared with 1958. Over time, Americans’ acceptance of blacks and women as candidates has increased the most.
Here is how it has changed over time.
Not a big supprise but we do best with the youngest Americans.
However, it is still only 70% and the lowest rated group. We have a lot of work to do but we are only a few election cycles away from voting in atheists that are open about their lack of religion.
Looking at the age distribution, I’m a bit disappointed in my generation (65+). I would have hoped that age and experience would also lead to enlightenment, but apparently bigotry trumps wisdom.
On the bright side, as our population ages, those enlightened younger folks will eventually become the majority class, and future generations may be expected to become even more tolerant owing to the teachings of their predecessors. There may be hope for this country after all; but, sadly, probably not in my lifetime…