A president of faith is all we need

This is disgusting. Sir, you honestly believe that an atheist child cannot dream of being President, because he would surely end up committing murder? Einstein could not have been President? Ten percent of America is automatically ruled out, even if they are more qualified and better people, simply because they do not believe in God? Actually, more than ten percent, since you say they have to believe in the one God.

Was in an atheist who wanted to burn Qur'ans on 9/11? Was it an atheist who walked into a Muslim temple with a machine gun and opened fire (that was a Jew, by the way)? Was it an atheist who flew planes into buildings?

I am not saying this to imply that religious people should not be President, or that all religious people are inclined to murder. After all, I am a Humanist and believe in the potential for goodness in all. However, I bring up these examples to show that believing in your one God is not proof of being a good person.

Further, you say "As long as our leader pursues peace and justice through faith in the one G-d of us all". So, those Hindus who are polytheistic, Buddhists, Jains, Shintoists, and agnostics could never be President?

Your bigotry is amazing. I, being raised a Jew (though I don't buy the superstition), would have expected more from you, and you have made me disappointed in my people.

The author shows a pathetic ignorance of world history by making statements like "Faithlessness and nihilism are the greatest threats to humanity..." Just one example, the first prime minister of India, Nehru was a very vocal atheist. Many of the political leaders of India have been and still are self proclaimed atheists including prime ministers and presidents. But, the largest genocides in India are instigated by religion, especially the militant Hindus and Muslims. It is also interesting to compare India (which is secular) with the faith based Pakistan and how the civil societies have evolved there.

My advice to Rabbi, read some world history before making profound sounding statements about the validity of faith!

President Barack Obama, whose father and step-father were Muslims and who partially grew up and was educated in the Muslim country of Indonesia, says he is a Christian. That statement should satisfy the American public, which might consider looking not so much at the category of God-fearing person Obama says he is, but care instead if our president is indeed G-d fearing, and seeking his guidance for America and for mankind. Shmully Hecht

I agree wholeheartedly Rabbi. I mean, if Barack Hussein Obama wants to claim to be a Christian, despite his obvious ties with Islam ( all of which you so wisely reiterated for anyone who may have forgotten them) then who are we to do anything more than imply that he's a liar? The important thing, after-all, is that presidents believe in some kind of entity whose existence is beyond investigation. For proof of that one need look no further than the God-fearin'est, guidance-seekin'est administration of George Bush to see how well that worked out for us.

This is the most ridiculous article I've ever read. Under what basis do you make the claims that a leader who believes in nothing resorts to murder and genocide? Also, didn't Hitler repeatedly refer to "the creator" throughout his reign?

Even more importantly, how many millions of people have been murdered as a direct result of religion over the years? From the Crusades, to witch burnings and current Muslim extremists, the number must be obnoxiously high (although I admit I have no data to back this up).

In addition, why does morality only apply to the God of Judeo-Christian belief? Are Buddhists immoral because they don't believe in the same God as you?

I am appalled that such a poorly thought out article with absolutely no relevant information could be considered worthy of publication in a seemingly respectable newspaper, and even more shocked that Yale would associate itself with someone who would stoop to the level of labeling all atheists as evil, or in your own words, Hitler.

"Faithlessness and nihilism are the greatest threats to humanity, and a leader who believes in nothing, or establishes a religion to serve himself or his state, becomes Hitler, Stalin, Mao or Pol Pot; who together murdered and starved over one hundred million human beings."

So, Rabbi Hecht, are you predicting genocide in Australia, where the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has no religious belief? Or is your claim about non-believers sloppy, lazy writing, done to quickly paint other humans as evil without you having to think about it?