A Brief History
On July 25, 1593, Henry IV, King of France, converted from Calvinism back to the Catholicism of his birth. Henry had been raised Protestant, although he was baptized Catholic. His conversion back to Catholic came in the midst of the Wars of Religion, battles between Catholic and Protestant Europeans.
Digging Deeper
Was Henry’s re-conversion a political ploy or a sincere action of conscience? It would seem to be a move made for political expediency, something monarchs and other national leaders have done throughout history. Napoleon Bonaparte did not think highly of religion, but he recognized the usefulness of organized religion in controlling the masses and manipulated religion for political purposes. He dressed and acted as a Muslim to pacify conquered Islamic people, and made a show of his superiority to the Catholic Church by crowning himself emperor. History is full of leaders that said one thing about religion in public and acted quite differently on their own.
In England, the reigning monarch is tasked with being the “keeper of the faith.” When Henry VIII wanted a divorce that the Catholic Church would not grant, he gave England a new Protestant religion, creating the Anglican Church with himself as “keeper of the faith.” To this day the British monarch retains this title.
So why do we doubt Henry IV’s sincerity? For one thing he was a famous philanderer, siring numerous children out of wedlock with multiple mistresses. For some reason the deeply religious, “family values” American politicians seem to be prone to fathering bastards and keeping mistresses (or engaging in homosexual behavior that they publicly denounce as “Un-Christian”).
President Obama had to overcome his father having been born into Islam and living his adult life as an atheist (both parents), something American voters seem to have a problem with.
Declaring himself a Christian and belonging to a Chicago church, his real ties to the church and his faith were taken into question when it became apparent that he had no idea what sort of sermons the pastor had been preaching.
President George W. Bush changed religions twice, and Newt Gingrich changed his religion as well. Mitt Romney on the other hand was born and raised Mormon and has stuck with his church even though the LDS can be a political liability in a national election. John Kennedy’s Catholicism almost kept him out of the White House.
We have never had a Jewish president, although we have had plenty of Jewish Supreme Court Justices. When Barry Goldwater (Jewish) ran for president he got walloped. When Al Gore ran with Jewish Joe Lieberman as his vice presidential running mate he lost an election he seemed sure to win. History and Headlines trivia: Who were the 2 Quaker presidents of the US? Herbert Hoover and Richard Nixon.
In communist countries, public leaders have to give the appearance of being atheists, whether they believe in God or not. It seems like religious conformity is mandatory for running a country, although sincerity is not. Question for students (and subscribers): Is the United States ready to elect an atheist? Do you think that will ever happen? If so, when? Let us know what you think in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Van Kley, Dale K. The Religious Origins of the French Revolution: From Calvin to the Civil Constitution, 1560-1791. Yale University Press, 1996.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="3185 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=3185">64 Comments
“President Obama had to overcome his father having been born into Islam and living his adult life as an atheist (both parents), something American voters seem to have a problem with.”
There’s always an angle that some will have a problem with; more american voters than not did not see this to be a problem, though, else he probably wouldn’t be occupying the white house.
I believe President Obama father being Islam is what makes him more tolerant to the terrorist in this country and it is putting us at a major risk.
i believe he only did this to keep his people happy and so he could have power long as we can see in history alot of rulers did this to keep there people happy and not force them to change there faith to what there king likes
I would put my money on political expediency, but even that can cause serious waves through history. Think if Constantine with Christianity, as there is much doubt today that he was an actual convert.
I do not think that currently the United States would elect an atheist president but I believe in a few decades there is a chance. Churches are struggling to get young families actively involved and as that number continues to grow I believe an atheist president is possible.
Of course its possible, even the Constitution states anyone of any faith can be POTUS, HOWEVER, I think it is highly unlikely.
I think his father being Islam made it easier to deal with terrorist. On the other hand religion is something the people have to prove towards there beliefs. No matter who’s president wont make people believe in religion more or less.
Still goes on today in society. People say they believe in one think and act differently around different people and in different places. Almost like these people are being two faced in my opinion.
I think this happens a lot in society and it’s going to continue to happen since it’s happened 500 years ago too. It’s just how we are, we can’t make up our minds sometimes.
With the United States being a nation with freedom of religion I can see why the people looking to become president would declare being atheist. The amount of supporters that you have can definitely depend how you declare your religion.
This shows that just because you were born into a religion does not mean you have to stay with it. Several people change their religion based on their views
Today, the amount of supporters you get is definitely dependent on what type of religion you declare! The way the world is changing, ask me again in 20 years if I still think that.
I feel like this happens a lot in today’s society, I pictured a high school full of drama filled students. A girl in one group of friends said one thing than says another, to a different group of friends. This will happen all the time in society and still will continue too.
No even kings and queens were politicians, religion is best kept woth those who truely belive in it the rest doesnt matter
I would not be surprised if we already have elected a closet atheist. Not being a christian as always seemed like a great way to not be elected in America. Now, the idea of religion is being challenged or removed from schools, flags, the pledge of allegiance, and other areas. If this trend continues then I can definitely see an open atheist becoming president some day.
People now can be born into a certain religion but when they are old enough they may change their religion. It is all how you view it
Sometimes peoples religious views change. As you get older your view of the world can change.
I’m not sure that religious views should be that important considering church and state are separate, but I understand that being connected to a religion can get you more voters because people are strongly tied to their religion.
Being connected to certain religious views can help you secure your spot in office for sure.
I think we will elect an atheist President as the percentage of atheists continues to grow. Religion should not be a factor in electing a President. Sincerity is much more critical.
Religion is important if you think it is important. I do not think that our President should have to be a certain religion in order to be a good leader. You could be a Christian President but still be an idiot and make bad choices. I think that the focus should not be on religion but on the persons morals and values.
Religion should never be a point of main focus when electing a president. I feel we will definitely have an atheist president eventually, hopefully when I’m dead and gone.
Exciting that even though he is lower in the polls, Bernie Sanders has achieved widespread success in a race to become President even though he is Jewish. It’s promising to see that people of almost any religious belief or upbringing can achieve acceptance and inspire others.
People are very hesitant when it comes to differences, religion is a big one. But any single person can live up to a powerful position in todays world, no matter what religion or race they may be.
when electing, we should elect somebody more interested in the political issues rather than religious. i truly dont care what religion you are, if you can benefit a country that’s all that matters.
Religon and state should be seperated
People should not be elected on their religion beliefs, just on their political beliefs because thats what really matters in the world.
Unfortunately people vote for candidates with same religious views as them. They shouldn’t listen to their religious beliefs just the candidate’s political views.
One should not vote based on there religious beliefs and views. There are many other factors that need to be taken into consideration when voting.
I don’t think that religion should have any part in the presidency. In a country that has the first amendment allowing freedom of religion and claims no prejudice against any certain type of religion, the US is very hypocritical in that a person’s religion has a way o”’f defining the value of ones worth. Atheists and those of Jewish background can run a country just as well as a person of any other Religion
I don’t believe it is a civil act to take into consideration the religion of a President when electing them.
I think people should believe in what they believe in and not change their views. That’s the easy way out and makes me not trust them. Who knows they could make a political decision because its the easy way out.
Who cares what you believe in as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone/anything?
Seems a lot of people during those times used religion as a tool for personal gain. There are still instances of that today… but definitely not as extreme.
Religion shouldn’t matter when it comes to someone’s ability to lead a country
Back in the day, kings and queens used God’s Will as the legitimacy for their being on the throne. In spite of that, you will find a startling number of kings and queens put to death or murdered.
i feel people in everyday have different aspects of things , trials and etc and different belies, as long as it dissent effect everyone and you ca look past it, no one should care but still love each other. I do believe the same problem here is the same thing that happens today.
I do not see why people would not vote for a president because of there region. Simpy because as a member of a religious groups you vote for either republican or democrat, whatever your religion you follow believe in .
It seems as though the history of the entire world has been shaped by religion. Religion seems to have been what controls who is the leader, who lives, and who dies.
I think if we have the right candidate for president (and he’s atheist) we should elect them as president. Everyone should focus on what they plan to do to help our country, not on what their personal religious beliefs are.
Religion or any belief shouldn’t affect a decision especially the President
It seems like if you don’t believe in God, you will never get elected president. It shouldn’t matter what religion that president believes in.
Believe if you want. No-one should make you believe anything you don’t want to believe in.
It’s incredible how much people can achieve by claiming to be a certain religion or converting religion in this case. Its also saddening seeing how a single persons religion can effect their life so negatively due to harsh treatment from others.
Separation of church and state is around for a reason. We should pick leaders based on their abilities and qualifications, not their religion.
Church and state need to be separated, but like it was back then how the monarchs changed the religion. We can’t have someone come in and do that to us. We have a right to uphold any faith we choose.
Religion should not be assigned to members of a community. People should not be punished for believing in a different faith.
I’m so thankful for freedom of religion.
I feel like monarchs only wanted people to think they were on the side of religion to gain their support. They liked control and needed to control religion too if they wanted power
Freedom of religion is a life saver…
I never really understood people who continually converted back and forth from one religion to the next
This is stupid, let me tell you why. we have an inalienable right to believe what we want too. we have freedom of religion, which we should have. No one can tell you what you can and think. So why do people care so much about what the politicians and presidents believe? yes, religion influences the way you act, but it’s what the people campaign for that matters, not what they believe. Half of them don’t even do in office what they campaign for, so really, this is stupid that it matters so much. they have a job to do in office regardless of their beliefs, just like we do in our careers.
Im a huge believer in if whatever other people are bleeding in and doing isn’t hurting me or anyone else, then no one should ever be hated on it.
It’s dumb that he is labeled a phony just because he went from one religion to another. People do it all the time. Sometimes in one religion you start to have some doubts and so you think that the other religion just makes more sense.
freedom of religion is very important
Will religion ever be excluded from an Americans idea of what makes up the best candidate?
Just like what H.J. said below, I think it’s stupid. We have the right to practice whatever religion we want to, thanks to the First Amendment, and presidents/political leaders fall under it too. They aren’t any different than regular citizens, they’re just popular and receive lots of attention, so they should be allowed to practice whatever religion they want to, regardless of that.
I think having religious diversity in our politicians is extremely important and beneficial!
I had no idea that Obama was an atheist, at least that is what I was getting from one of the paragraphs.
I have always thought this for a while but religion should not be talked about or play a role at all when it comes to politics or government. It should be more on the policies and what will better the citizens of the country and the country itself.
I think the United States could use more atheistic representatives in our political system. Perhaps then we can begin focusing on more crucial issues such as global warming and healthcare.
1. Ever since biblical times, Kings have had concubines. It’s completely normal for Kings to have mistresses and bastard children. Almost as normal as royalty marrying their cousins, this goes back to ancient Egypt as well.
2. I have never met an atheist that doesn’t go five minutes without talking about atheism, even if you’re talking about a completely different subject. If we were to have a President who happened to be an atheist, I don’t think I would be opposed to it- but considering the fact that a great portion of our constitution is based off of bible, would an atheist president renounce our constitution because of their beliefs? Or would we be better off having an Agnostic leader as opposed to an Atheist leader?
I just find it funny that before the cold war, the US didn’t have a set religion and then suddenly the Soviet Union decides it wants to be atheist and the US freaks out and declares our country to be Christian. Not looking to good for an atheistic politician.
Henry VI was definitely not sincere when ruling because he just manipulated the whole population of England.