I know most of you have no intention of voting Republican in the next presidential election, but if you had to pick *someone*, who would it be?
Jon Huntsman? Sure, he accepts evolution and climate change, but that ought to be a given for any educated person, right? He doesn’t hide his Mormonism, though, and that could be his downfall. After all, if he believes the Joseph Smith story, what else will he fall for?
Herman Cain? He’s awful on the social issues and that’s just the start of all of his problems…
Ron Paul! He seems like the sanest candidate so far. He’s decent on civil liberties and supports legalization of marijuana use, prostitution, and same-sex marriage — all of which seem to set him apart from the crowd. Sure, he also wants to get rid of FEMA and anything that tampers with a *completely* free market, but we can discuss those things later.
Of all the beliefs he holds, one has gotten very little press: His faith. There’s a very strong Statement of Faith on his website and it might make you think twice about giving him your support:

… I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and I endeavor every day to follow Him in all I do and in every position I advocate.
It is God Who gave us life. As He is free, so are those He created in His image. Our rights to life and liberty are inalienable.
…
I am running to Restore America Now, and by that I mean that it’s time to protect and promote the basic God-given rights inherent in the promise of America.
…
We must stand for life — not allow millions of innocent children to continue to be slaughtered with the government’s approval.
This guy is a lot more religious than I imagined.
He says he’s not going to use his faith for political gain, but he’s already letting it guide him to adopt an anti-abortion platform. Hardly as progressive a candidate as the media makes him out to be.
I know there’s no religious test for public office, but if candidates make their faith known (and Paul does by putting it on his own site), we have a right to question them about it and factor it into our judgment. By the substance on this page, Ron Paul is as kooky as the other candidates when it comes to religion.
By the way, I’m not suggesting that an atheist would automatically earn my vote. I would be ok with a religious candidate who kept faith a private matter. It would be nice, though, to have a candidate for higher office from any party who believed in rationality and evidence instead of the Bible.
It may be acceptable to believe in the Invisible Hand, but we have to question candidates’ ability to think clearly when they believe in an Invisible Man.
(Thanks to Joe for the link)