I don't want a President with a "moral compass". Truly.

[Lyric]

I don't give a damn about religious morality, I don't care how "faithful" each candidate is, and I couldn't give a flying fart about "traditional values". Politicians lose all of their values the moment they start trying to gain power--and in that, Barack and Hillary are pretty damned evenly matched. Everybody looooves to argue about how "honest" each of our candidates is. Tell me--do you think that either of them REALLY believe that crap about religion? 'Cause I don't. I think they're both saying what they Have to say in order to get votes. If I actually thought for a moment that EITHER of them truly believed that crap, I'd probably keel over and die of utter despair.

This is a not a match between Dudley DoRight and Snidely Whiplash, although that's how some people try to paint it. We're down to choosing which liar we prefer. Damn, we deserve better than this.

I'm just depressed at the moment. Just once, it would be nice to see a serious Presidential candidate stand up and say, "You know, this God shit is just stupid. I'm tired of pretending to believe it." I'd trip over my own feet getting to the polls to support a candidate with the guts to actually SAY that.

[MichiganVote]

1. You've had one...for the last 8 years ^ has been w/o any compass save his own agenda

[Voice for Peace]

28. I had a friend who was bornagain when he was a kid. They told him,

"if you ask Jesus to come into your heart, he'll come into your heart."

So because he was a kid, he took this literally, and prayed for Jesus to come into his heart.

From then on in, whenever he wanted guidance, or comfort, he turned to his own heart.
He didn't turn to the bible, or church, or somebody else to tell him what to do, or think.

He turned to his own heart. When he needed strength, or love, or wisdom, he reached in there.
His own heart.

It didn't matter whether he called it Jesus, or "my own heart."

The bit I heard from Obama tonight on that forum, reminded me of that friend. WHen a human being lives an examined life, and calls upon that depth within themselves, there is good counsel & guidance.

Religion in that sense is totally unnecessary. But people forget about having a heart, so they turn to religion.

[JoFerret]

38. And Obama really cares . He wants to share his "love'

Jesus wept people.

This is a politician. Not a messianic cause.

[Skittles]

2. you know it, oktoberain

We deserve much, MUCH better :thumbsup:

[JoFerret]

34. No more religiosity

.

[Olney Blue]

3. I have found a kindred spirit in you regarding religion and politicians.

K/R

[xchrom]

4. recommend

[texastoast]

5. You say that

But you do want someone with a moral compass.

I mean, my bottom line is for a candidate to get the job done in the most efficient manner with the least amount of taxpayer dollars with the most visionary foresight to help future generations while supporting smart growth for the current taxpayers.

But even if we had that, I wouldn't want that person to be a child molester or a rapist. So there is a line.

[Lyric]

8. Well I meant a "religious" moral compass

to be more specific. Morality is perfectly possible without religion. Tying religion to morality pisses me off to a degree I cannot even describe in mere words. Argh.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

6. And if the candidate did state that, it would be a sure way to

not be elected president.

[Lyric]

11. I know it. That doesn't mean

I have to like it or agree with it. I am So. Damned. Tired. of having to cater to the mindless religious masses in order to get a chance to run the country properly. Argh.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

12. Amen. Peace be with you.

[GodlessBiker]

7. Perhaps they aren't pretending to believe it.

[gateley]

9. I am pretty anti-any-religion --

but religion has meaning for many people. And if this is important to them, then I think it's okay. Just keep it in the "religion/compassion" discussions like this was. Don't bring it into the political debates.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

10. Well, then you may as well vote Repuke, because it's usually the Repukes that most claim moral

purity that are the most piggish, amoral assholes alive. LOL!

On the other hand, I DO KNOW exactly what you mean. I don't give a rat's ass if someone is gay or not, having excessive sexual activity or not, masturbating a hell of a lot or not. I want all that stuff kept out of my life, and I want the media to go @#$# itself and stop telling me who's shtooping whom.

In fact, sometimes I think we should start a paper with the express purpose of publishing who's shtooping whom among media CEOs, media bigwhigs and reporters. That might stop them in their track$.

[Lyric]

13. It's that part that bothers me the most.

Sitting here, watching our candidates play out what I Truly believe is merely a farce, knowing that if they did anything else, they'd be SOL in November. It's absolutely maddening.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

14. I know, but they have to do it because Repugnicans have "set the tone" for how elections are run in

this country. We MUST MUST MUST make sure that the next few decades we rid ourselves of this right wing scourge, including any Demos that might lean rightwards. ;-)

[berni_mccoy]

15. Bitter?

[Upton]

16. You don't need to be religious to have a moral compass

I'm an agnostic yet I, like most non believers, know the difference between simple right and wrong. It's just unfortunate that an atheist or agnostic can't be elected in this country. So let the pandering begin.

[John Kerry VonErich]

17. Sounds like, to me, is a "don't vote" campaign

nt

[Rhythm]

23. Then I would say that you don't know oktoberain very well.

I've known her for years, and she's one of the most devoted Lefties I've met... even more so than me, which never ceases to surprise me! :hi:

[John Kerry VonErich]

35. Probably not

:rofl:

[beachmom]

19. I want a president who can distinguish right from wrong, but it doesn't have to come from religion.

I want a president who is decent, tough, and honest. I do want a president who has a moral compass, but that does not come from religion anyway. I did not watch this forum tonight because it did not interest me. But having a conscience is a major characteristic I look for in a president.

[Voice for Peace]

29. you need one of these

[FlyingSquirrel]

20. I do, but I'll give you the 5th rec anyway

We just may be in disagreement regarding the term "moral compass". Bush's moral compass points south.

[Beregond2]

21. Cheap cynicism.

I'm sorry you are so bitter toward religion, but not everyone who addresses their faith is lying. For the vast majority of people, God is not "shit," but an obvious fact of life. You sound just as dogmatic as the fundamentalists, except you are pushing a nihilistic vision instead of a religious one.

[backscatter712]

22. I want one with a moral compass that works correctly.

George W. Bush seems to have his installed backwards.

A working moral compass will guide a president into respecting the will of the people, working to enhance their welfare, as opposed to the welfare of elites, to avoid things like war, to protect rather than exploit the powerless, and so on.

[faithfulcitizen]

24. wow, you and I are very different. nt

[krabigirl]

25. Damn straight. Someone with brains AND true morals.

[smiley_glad_hands]

26. Morality has nothing to do with religion.

You've bought a bad bill of goods.

[Lyric]

27. *I* believe that. I just wish the rest of the country could understand it.

But you have to admit that neither Barack nor Hillary could ever say "Morality has nothing to do with religion" and expect to win the general election.

That's the frustrating part.

[Voice for Peace]

30. You're right. But we won't get there overnight.

There is potential here for a real new day dawning. Common sense is coming back into play, and authentic morality. It won't happen overnight but it's starting.

[Zhade]

37. Indeed. One does not need religion at all to be moral.

NT!

[ihelpu2see]

31. I whole heartedly agree, I was quite pissed that CNN would even hold this type of forum

Obama tried to mention atheists but all in all it forwards the false argument that you need faith to have morals.... I have seen more immorality in people of faith communities than not, granted there are probably more "faith communities" therefor more people who screw up. I think it is high time for more rational humanists to move into higher positions of elected office.

I forget what sporting event I was watching and the announcer was interviewing the athlete after her win, I wish I could remember if it was golf or tennis, no it was the Womens NCAA basketball final 4 and they were interviewing one of the star players . But it was refreshing that she did not thank Jesus or God for her win she actually talked about her and the teams training and hours of preparation. GO FIGURE!

[KaptBunnyPants]

32. Personally, I'm sick of amoral politicians.

I want a politician who gives a damn. I don't care why they care about the welfare of the American people, only that they do. It's the best that can be hoped for in a country such as this. The problems of our country are so numerous. Extreme poverty, historically poor regional government, sabotaged federal government, absent/broken education system, and an aristocratic class that maintains power by promoting know-nothing attitudes; Of course anti-modern attitudes prevail through much of our increasingly feudal culture. Unfortunately, much of America hates science. Most of America hates Atheists. If we atheists need a religious liaison to participate in our country politically and prevent this degradation, it is a small price to pay. We have common cause with all religious people who are not in the Robertson/Hagee sects; we all want to see the preservation of our country by means of effective government. The theocrats can not be reasoned with, but many religious people are not theocrats. Why not be friends with those religious people who are capable of being friendly?

[JoFerret]

33. Would be great

...and a real sign that - finally - the country has grown up.

This compulsory political religiosity is sickening.

[Zhade]

36. The "gods shit" IS ridiculous, but clinton's the one who's actually been proven to be a liar.

Tuzla.

NAFTA.

The hospital "turning away" the mother "without insurance".

All documented, undeniable lies.

[knixphan]

39. The Con-sti-tu-tion is the only compass I care about when it comes to my Pres.

Oh goodie! One of the candidates used to teach it!