Posted on 11/10/2015 8:44:46 AM PST by Isara
Atheists Blast Ted Cruz's Response When Asked How Important It Is for a President to 'Fear God'
Atheists are decrying Ted Cruz’s recent claim that any president who does not pray to God each day is unfit to serve as commander-in-chief.
The Center for Freethought Equality, a secular lobbying group, released a statement on Monday condemning the Texas senator and Republican presidential candidate over a response that he gave to a question at the National Religious Liberties Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday.
Cruz, who was asked how important he believes it is for “the president of the United States to fear God,” responded, “Any president who doesn't begin every day on his knees isn't fit to be commander-in-chief of this country.”
He added, “We're a nation that has enjoyed God's blessing, providential blessing, from the very beginning.”
Watch Cruz’s comments below:
RWW News: Ted Cruz Says Any President Who Doesn't Pray Daily Isn't Fit To Lead This Country (video)
It was a response that led Bishop McNeill, head of the Center for Freethought Equality’s Freethought Equality Fund PAC, to speak out, claiming that Cruz perpetuated a “prejudiced myth.”
“By claiming that those who do not pray are not fit for office, Senator Cruz is perpetuating the prejudiced myth that humanists and atheists are not moral people,” McNeill said. “There are a number of recent studies that show that despite how religious Americans remain, a majority of people would vote for a qualified atheist for president.”
The activist cited a recent report from the Pew Research Center that showed a growing proportion of Americans - the so-called unaffiliated “nones” - who are either atheist, agnostic or unattached to a religion, accounting for nearly 23 percent of the population.
“In his callous dismissal of humanists, atheists and other secular Americans, Senator Cruz also shows that he is out-of-touch with the growing number of Americans who are not affiliated with any religion,” McNeill said.
Please, this man argued 9 consecutive cases in front of the Supreme Court successfully for Texas, and you don’t think that he knows the very explicit requirements for eligibility for the office of President?
“Fit” is a value-laden word. “Eligible” speaks to a legal definition. There is a world of difference - and you know it.
You know, I hope that some idiot reporter or maybe one of the moderators tonight ask him about this matter. That will straighten out any “doubt” that you have (”doubt” in quotes because I just think that you don’t like Cruz - which is certainly your right - and you’re just trying to give him a hard time on this thread).
I’m quite sure he knows the requirements for eligibiltiy for office of President.
You’re right, I don’t like Cruz. I was trying to point out that what he says is not what all of his supporters think he says.
What he said was nothing more than pandering for the Christian vote. In my opinion.
If Atheists are so sure there is no God why do they care of others believe?
Like to many people they are busybodies who want control over other persons.
I don’t think Cruz was terribly strong with the latte-drinking vegetarian Atheist demographic, so this will not hurt him with any voters who might have considered him. Besides that, he’s right. That should be a plus with voters who love America (those of us who cling to God and to guns).
You didn’t quote the first half of my statement.
In which I said I believed Ted did not mean his words literally. This was directed to anyone who may have been confused about it, not you of course.
You’re correct; I might have been a little quick on the trigger on that one. Seems that we’re really on the same page.
The atheist(Bishop McNeill) is the facsist not Cruz. I should have made that more clear.
How come they alway seem to have one, skewered and haywire though it is? And how do they know what 'correct' is? "Correct" compared to WHAT?
Cordially,
I can think of more than just a few things other than God that I consider to be greater than myself and belief and/or disbelief are not among them.
"Without a belief in an afterlife, all things are permissible."
~Fyodor Dostoyevski in Crime and Punishment.
The relative-morality of an Athiest, if played out to its logical conclusions, is a very dangerous road to be on.
as you are free to do. -I believe the Truth told that the fool has said in his heart there is no God. as is my right.
Fool? Fool for what? For not having a need to live forever?
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