Is it important for a world leader (U.S. President) to believe in God

Is it important for a world leader like POTUS to believe in a God?

Would it keep him/her humble? Reminding him/her of a superior power?

Must he/her show mercy to the nation?

Reminding him/her as being leader of the flock/group/nation (a politician) will be held responsible for his/her actions as to how they led the people as kings, queens. princes, princesses, advisers etc... have been held responsible in the past?

Would a politician be more effective and a better leader when he/she believes in the Christian God?

originally posted by: DeathSlayer
Is it important for a world leader like POTUS to believe in a God?

No.

Would it keep him/her humble? Reminding him/her of a superior power?

Religious people are not necessarily humble. Quite the opposite actually, believing to "know" the truth.

Must he/her show mercy to the nation?

There is no god needed to show mercy, empathy and patience.

Reminding him/her as being leader of the flock/group/nation (a politician) will be held responsible for his/her actions as to how they led the people as kings, queens. princes, princesses, advisers etc... have been held responsible in the past?

Would a politician be more effective and a better leader when he/she believes in the Christian God?

Absolutely not!

a reply to: DeathSlayer

I don't think gods or religions are relevant to doing the right thing.

Look to priests molesting children across the globe.
Muslims molesting children across the globe.

And when was the last time the US held a politician accountable for anything? I mean really accountable?
Were Clinton or Nixon really punished for their crimes?

There is no "Christian" God, there's just God and it transcends all beliefs and conceptions. It's bigger than they think.

It's not legally a requirement for president to believe in God, and you can be moral and compassionate as an atheist or agnostic - and you can be ruthless and tyrannical if you are devout to a theism.

I think however, that a sufficiently enlightened conceptualization and understanding of God significantly increases your odds for being humble, wise, compassionate, merciful, and dignified.

But there are no guarantees here either way. Everyones very unique and we all make mistakes no matter what we believe...

a reply to: DeathSlayer

Depends...

Christian like Johann T’Serclaes von Tilly? Christian like Angela Merkel? Or like George W. Bush?

Held responsible like Bush? Or more like in the "Nürnberger Prozesse"-kind of way?

a reply to: DeathSlayer

Considering the leaders of ISIS and Al-Qaeda believe in God and they murder and kill innocent civilians, I would say absolutely not! You don't need to believe in God, to lead a life of respect for your fellow man and know that killing another human being is wrong. Some of the worst people I know follow a religion and attend church on a weekly basis.

a reply to: windword

Argument from logic and reason inevitably leads to the conclusion "God" exists. That is, an intelligent entity that spans all space and time and can alter reality and even violate apparent laws of physics.

However it must be noted, the common Christian or other specific religious doctrines (Islam, Hindu, Judaism, etc) are easy to defeat with rational arguments. Dogma is a tricky thing, and blind belief in it is dangerous.

I could get into a really deep discussion on all of the specifics here but it's probably more suited for it's own thread. We could talk about this for ever...

a reply to: muzzleflash

Argument from logic and reason inevitably leads to the conclusion "God" exists.

Please define "God". Because, from my perspective, logic debunks the biblical god.

ETA: Sorry, I just recognized this in your post:

That is, an intelligent entity that spans all space and time and can alter reality and even violate apparent laws of physics.

No. I don't think that logic leads to this conclusion.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

Morality doesn't originate from, or depend on, religion. So while religion might humble or aid in some people's ethics, there isn't reason to demand it of leaders. Our leaders can be moral and non-religious just like anyone else. Additionally, requiring religious faith in the POTUS would violate the principle there needs to be a separation between Church and State.

Reminding him/her as being leader of the flock/group/nation (a politician) will be held responsible for his/her actions

Do you really think you need to have religious faith in order to be a leader? Do you not believe there is already strong secular leadership in the World? I think they can be reminded of the enormity of their responsibility in lots and lots of ways. Caring about people's lives you're responsible for doesn't rely on religious teachings. Again, these are things accomplished by secular caretakers and leaders every day in our World.

a reply to: Lucid Lunacy

This thread is about your opinions and not mine.

I think most here already know my opinion........

Want to hear what ATS has to say......

thats all.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

Alright

Well I would say answers to these questions are clearly demonstrated via good secular leadership throughout the Globe right now. Whether that's in the household or larger political roles.

Now is it important for most US citizens that the POTUS be religious? Of course. Atheism is literally the #1 last thing most here in the USA want their POTUS to be.

**Edit: My bad. Looks like we are second to last now!

a reply to: DeathSlayer


Each to their own strengths ....

Let the leaders lead most have been democractically elected for their

policies/capabilities


AND For those who need it ....


Let the religious heads take care of their souls and their lives after death

a reply to: windword

You really should visit your local library and check out some newer philosophy books.

Don't focus on any specific guy, look for the all encompassing books that go through the entire history of philosophy overall.

If you can read through all of that, I guarantee you'll disagree with yourself today. There are some extremely good arguments.

We are not talking about a "biblical" God, because there's no such thing. We are talking about the scientific concept of God.

Just investigate the entire history of philosophy and how each argument surpassed the last up until present day conceptions. It'll take a few months but you'll enjoy the adventure.

a reply to: muzzleflash

I'm not new to the religious forum. There is no "scientific" concept of god.....that is....as, how did you put it?

"an intelligent entity that spans all space and time and can alter reality and even violate apparent laws of physics."

Nope.

We are not talking about a "biblical" God, because there's no such thing. We are talking about the scientific concept of God.

The OP specifically singled out the Christian god.

Yes, along as it's Cthulhu.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

Would it keep him/her humble? Reminding him/her of a superior power?

Not all gods require worship, therefore no need for worship or humbleness.


Why did you you change your mind after the thread title and in the last sentence specify a belief in a Christian God?

God, no.

As far as I am concerned :

Firstly the POTUS is not the leader of the world... Only the United States

Secondly and in my own personal opinion, I think that a leader of any country who has a mix of both believers of whatever religion/cult they have chosen and non believers should not bring religious matters into the way they run their country and stay neutral to his or hers beliefs out of respect for others and put the countries interests that they run first in a realistic manner.

Warmest

Lags

a reply to: DeathSlayer

originally posted by: DeathSlayer
Is it important for a world leader like POTUS to believe in a God?

Would it keep him/her humble? Reminding him/her of a superior power?

Must he/her show mercy to the nation?

Reminding him/her as being leader of the flock/group/nation (a politician) will be held responsible for his/her actions as to how they led the people as kings, queens. princes, princesses, advisers etc... have been held responsible in the past?

Would a politician be more effective and a better leader when he/she believes in the Christian God?

It's all hypocritical garbage, mental/emotional insanity!
A 'belief' is a pathologically symptomatic infection of 'thought'.
Malware.
It is insanity.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

I don't really think so,as long as he has a good sense of morality,and open minded,their are several religions even in the christian religion,so a fence sitter would actually be a better negotiator,as he really has eliminated any bias