Americans don't want an atheist president

http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/08/us-voters...eader.html

UNITED STATES: Two-thirds of Americans believe that it is important for a presidential candidate to have strong religious beliefs, even if those beliefs are different than their own, a survey released on Tuesday found.

The survey of Americans’ attitudes by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute found only one in five Americans would object to a candidate whose beliefs were different to their own.

When asked about specific religious faiths and the presidency, 29 per cent of Americans would be uncomfortable with an evangelical Christian in the job, 53 per cent would be uncomfortable with a Mormon, 64 per cent with a Muslim, and 67 per cent would be uncomfortable with an atheist as a president.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman are Mormons running for president. The remaining Republican candidates are Christian, with some espousing strong beliefs.

Romney and businessman Herman Cain, a baptist, lead the pack in national polls.

Eight in 10 Americans believe creating jobs is the nation’s most important priority, the survey found, while six in 10 said reducing the government budget deficit is critical.

The survey confirmed a majority distrust the solutions being offered in Washington.

President Barack Obama was seen by 44 per cent of those polled as having good ideas about how to create jobs, compared to 35 per cent backing the approach of Republican leaders in Congress.

Opinions of Obama showed 28 per cent pronounced themselves “satisfied” and five per cent “excited” about his presidency, while 26 per cent felt “worried” and 10 per cent felt “angry.”

Nearly one in three felt “disappointed” in his presidency.

Among a subset of Republican voters who had formed an opinion about the party’s 2012 presidential candidates, Cain led with 73 per cent having a favorable view of him, followed by Romney with 66 per cent and Texas Governor Rick Perry with 53 per cent.

Between late September and late October, when the survey was conducted, Romney’s favorable rating dropped 10 points and Perry’s rating fell by 18 points.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Sunday showed the percentage of Republicans who viewed Cain favorably dropped nine percentage points, to 57 per cent from 66 per cent a week ago, following allegations of sexual harassment emerged against him.

In another line of questioning reflecting the Occupy Wall Street movement, six in 10 Americans agreed that the nation would be better off if the distribution of wealth was more equal, while 39 per cent disagreed.

Proposals to increase taxes on Americans earning more than $1 million a year was favored by 70 per cent of Americans, compared to 27 per cent opposed.

The survey polled 1,505 adults between September 22 and October 2, and had a 2.5 percentage point margin of error.

Why do the atheists attack on christians (at forums etc) you ask? Because the christians hate everyone who isn't a christian, and it seems especially atheists.

Why justify rational decisions with an ancient fairylaw? Lol at you US.