I couldn't handle all those dull meetings and having to deal with a room full of lawyers who've been trained to argue black is white and win at all cost !

In my states constitution, it says something like " there are no religious tests required to qualify a person for possible election, but they must acknowledge the existence of a supreme being." So basically atheists need not apply. Running for office isn't my style though so that and the law makes it a no.

If I were living in my hometown of Portland, Oregon, perhaps ... Here in SW Virginia.. Thanks for the laugh! The best we get in this neck of the woods are ‘Independents.’ I sat in on a recent candidate search with local Democrats when a fellow’s name came up -- instantly negated with, “He can’t run, he’s an Atheist.”

That’s one I’ll no doubt remember for a while… ‘Welcome to Virginia - it’s for Lovers (but not Atheists)’...? Makes me sick. Public meetings ‘opened with prayers,’ as some a-hole no doubt makes a list as to who doesn't participate... Knew what I was getting into, Blacksburg and VA Tech were an option. But not here ~

No, I don't want to be part of the problem. A rational government that discounts votes of those ignorant of the subject at hand, whether intentional or not, would be the only government I'd ever want to acknowledge or be a part of. The old US motto of: one man, one vote clearly demonstrates that this won't ever likely happen here.

Not unless I kept my mouth shut as to my beliefs because if I dind’t I would sure as hell loose

I wouldn't run in the first place, but if I did want to...well, then I'd want to lol.

I HATE the fact that people running for office are even asked this question! I care about whether the believe in helping those who need it, good educations for all, universal healthcare, legalizing marijuana, etc etc etc. Unless they are a flaming evangelical, in which case they will not shut up about it, none of anybody's business!

In the UK it would be a knotty constitutional issue, as we do not separate church and state. The Queen is both head of state and head of the church of England. Before Tony Blair it was the prime ministers job to pick COE archbishops but he delegated the task (permanently) as he was a closet Catholic. We did have an agnostic run for office, Neil Kinnock (he did not win).

Few years ago (I don't remember the state) an Atheist guy run and won a position in his state's Legislature. Many of his constituents wanted him to resign even before taking office.

No. I don't have the stamina to fight. Then again, I wouldn't vote for anyone who has religious ties. Perhaps it's unpopular but there's no way I could support Bernie because of his waffling on Palestine. When confronted on a few occasions, he got defensive and threw tantrums -- just like Orrin Hatch.

I have considered a run for office, but I would not make my beliefs an issue.

Of course!!