Vote for an Atheist - Say What?

So would you, as a Christian, vote for an atheist who claims to respect your values and personal beliefs and acts accordingly, rather than someone who might claim to be a Christian but supports policies that violate your beliefs?   Maybe a tough choice, right?

Well, in light of President Obama's visit to Australia, I recalled there were some positive things written about Prime Minister Julia Gillard with respect to religion.   According to the Daily Mail:

Australia’s new Prime Minister has revealed she does not believe in God.


Julia Gillard told ABC radio in Melbourne that she was not prepared to go through ‘religious rituals’ for the sake of appearances.

Ms Gillard added: ‘I am, of course, a great respecter of religious beliefs, but they are not my beliefs.

‘For people of faith, I think the greatest compliment I could pay them is to respect their genuinely-held beliefs and not to engage in some pretence about mine.

But, she has taken some policy positions that have actually been consistent with Biblical priniciples.    Some, she hasn't.   She's apparently an advocate of abortion, saying:  "Women without money would be left without that choice or in the hands of backyard abortion providers" and that she understood "the various moral positions" regarding abortions...that's pro-choice language.  She cohabitates with her long-time (male) partner.  But, she doesn't support same-sex marriage.    She basically said to Muslims that wanted to live under Sharia Law that they, well, needed to find another country.

According to leading religion analyst Marion Maddox, writing for ABC-Australia:

Fellow-atheists were surprised, that August, when Gillard pledged $1.5 million of commonwealth funding to the celebrations for the canonisation of Australia's first saint, Mary Mackillop, and offered tax deductibility for the church's fund-raising effort for the occasion, although the anticipated economic benefits from such a major tourist event are surely a sufficient explanation.

More perplexing was her decision in relation to (former Prime Minister) Howard's National School Chaplaincy Program, which he established in late 2006 at the tail-end of his prime ministership. Although Howard had stated that it would be open to state and private schools, the majority of chaplains (1915) are employed in state schools, of whom 85% are supplied by Christian organisations belonging to the National School Chaplaincy Association.

In November 2009, Kevin Rudd announced a further $42.8 million to extend it until December 2011, and established a review to consider provision of pastoral care in schools beyond that date.

On Gillard's succeeding him, however, she pre-empted the review by confirming a further increase, to $222 million, to extend the program to 2014 and include a further 1000 state schools. When asked whether the program would retain "its unique flavour linked to the faith, the Christian faith," she assured the nation that it would remain "a chaplaincy program, with everything that that entails."

So, isn't that strange?   She doesn't believe in God, but supports some Christian positions.    But, let's make her a bit more conservative, and put her in the American context.   Would you vote for an atheist who embraces positions consistent with Biblical truth over a Christian who makes questionable policy decisions?    It's important to get all the facts, pray over our choice, and make an informed decision as the election approaches.

One opportunity is coming up this Saturday in Iowa.   Our friends at CitizenLink are co-sponsoring the Thanksgiving Family Forum from Des Moines, moderated by Frank Luntz and featuring Tom Minnery - the webcast will be anchored by Stuart Shepard.    It will be held from 4-6 this Saturday afternoon - all Republican candidates, except Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman will be on hand.   This will be reportedly a values-based forum, with questions about social issues front and center.