I see progress, though it’s progress at a plate tectonics pace:
If an atheist was entered in the presidential race,
For the first time in our history it seems to be the case—
The majority’s not instantly opposed!
Fifty-four percent of voters told the pollsters “yes, we would”
If the atheist in question, every other way, was good
We are still the most unpopular—let that be understood
But the case is not immediately closed.
The new Gallup Poll is out. When it comes to politics, atheists are still the most biased against… but for the first time since 1958, pollsters find a slight majority willing to vote for an otherwise-qualified atheist.
Like I said, progress. Slooooooooooooooooooooow progress. But the right direction.
But hey, you want the good news?
The future looks good.
7 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
jimmy60
June 21, 2012 at 7:40 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I don’t see cuttlefish on those lists. You should run, you wouldn’t be the first invertebrate president.
Akira MacKenzie
June 21, 2012 at 7:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh don’t worry, by the time those 18-20-year-olds get to the 30-49 age range, they’ll become just as right-wing and religious as their fucking parents and grandparents. I’ve seen too many of my the progressive high school and college chums become fire-breathing Republicans after they’ve “grown up” and “become adults.”
Especially if they’e made the mistake of creating a brat or two…
Akira MacKenzie
June 21, 2012 at 7:53 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Edit: 18-29-year-olds, sorry
Trebuchet
June 21, 2012 at 8:49 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That only 80% would vote for a Mormon is interesting in this particular year. It’s pretty consistent across the age groups and not too different from 1967 and 1999.
On the other hand, only 57% in 1958 would have voted for a Catholic, but one was elected (over a Quaker!) two years later.
die anyway
June 23, 2012 at 4:12 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I guess that shows what a bigot I am. I wouldn’t vote for a Catholic, Mormon, or Muslim, nor for a devout Jew. Especially if they made a point of their religion. The other categories seem like non-issues. I voted for Obama even though he’s a Christian in the hope that he was really a closet atheist. Four years later I’m disappointed on that count. If he is, he’s hidden it well. A song lyric seems to spring to mind: Won’t get fooled again.
Rebecca Rose
June 25, 2012 at 2:09 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My dad used to say, “If you’re under thirty and not liberal, you’re heartless. If you’re over thirty and not conservative, you’re stupid.”
Wow, did we disagree.
Rebecca Rose
June 25, 2012 at 2:11 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
And BTW — I’d TOTALLY vote for you for president!!!!! Run baby run!