[MovieMogul]

Religion (in some people, nay...perhaps most) serves as their set of values and what is right vs what is wrong.

I think we have a duty to know how an elected official will use the religious principles that they believe in to determine what is "right" vs "wrong."

Fortunately, for most religions these values are relatively similar. And I think the difference between various denominations is minimal when it comes to the really big issues.

There used to be a time when "common sense" told us what was right and wrong, but there's just too many idjits today that have messed that up.

Under the right circumstances I'd vote for any mainstream Americanized religion. I would really be hesitant voting for a self-described atheist.

[dynachrome]

Scientology would probably be a no go for me, also.
You are right about the values deriving from religion, even if someone is not religious now, in the formal sense.

[cripplecreek]

If I knew the Atheist had a good record over many years, I would vote for the atheist if a Christian judge had a history of bad decisions over the same timeframe.

After all, there are a surprising number of good conservative atheist FReepers lurking around here.

(BTW I’m a Christian myself)