Comments on: Mormons more popular than atheists http://www.jacobgrier.com/blog/archives/854.html Coffee, Cocktails & More Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:04:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Jacob Grier http://www.jacobgrier.com/blog/archives/854.html#comment-279863 Jacob Grier Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:38:04 +0000 http://www.jacobgrier.com/blog/archives/854.html#comment-279863 One contest found Pete Stark to be the only open atheist in Congress. Unfortunately, he's a perfect example of the kind of guy who fits Matt's description. One contest found Pete Stark to be the only open atheist in Congress. Unfortunately, he’s a perfect example of the kind of guy who fits Matt’s description.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.jacobgrier.com/blog/archives/854.html#comment-279770 Jeff Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:11:10 +0000 http://www.jacobgrier.com/blog/archives/854.html#comment-279770 I think Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an atheist, albeit a Jewish one. But I'm not sure about that. Either way, he doesn't have that great of a public profile. And he's a socialist, so he's not going to be making any friends among the conservatives anytime soon. Either way, it means that you could at least get elected in Vermont (and the libertarianism might play well up there, actually). Matt - I wonder what the number is for Scientologists. I'd wager that's in the low 30s - a lot of people have a lot of vitriol for them. I think Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an atheist, albeit a Jewish one. But I’m not sure about that. Either way, he doesn’t have that great of a public profile. And he’s a socialist, so he’s not going to be making any friends among the conservatives anytime soon. Either way, it means that you could at least get elected in Vermont (and the libertarianism might play well up there, actually).

Matt - I wonder what the number is for Scientologists. I’d wager that’s in the low 30s - a lot of people have a lot of vitriol for them.

]]> By: Matt Novak http://www.jacobgrier.com/blog/archives/854.html#comment-279646 Matt Novak Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:08:41 +0000 http://www.jacobgrier.com/blog/archives/854.html#comment-279646 Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the reason for this is because so many people have trouble imagining an electable atheist; people picture atheists as hostile, angry, rash people. Of course, for many atheists that's a completely inaccurate picture, but that doesn't stop people from having the stereotype in their minds. Personally I'd be comfortable voting for a qualified atheist, Mormon, Muslim, Scientologist or whatever, provided they were the best candidate. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the reason for this is because so many people have trouble imagining an electable atheist; people picture atheists as hostile, angry, rash people.

Of course, for many atheists that’s a completely inaccurate picture, but that doesn’t stop people from having the stereotype in their minds. Personally I’d be comfortable voting for a qualified atheist, Mormon, Muslim, Scientologist or whatever, provided they were the best candidate.

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