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Book: Atheism in Five Minutes

Chapter: 35. Is It Possible for an Atheist to Become a President or a Prime Minister?

DOI: 10.1558/equinox.43321

Blurb:

Even talented atheist political leaders need to think carefully about how they refer to God and religion in their campaigns. For example, presidential candidates in the United States are expected to have a religious affiliation, and polls suggest that many electors would not vote for an openly atheist candidate. However, the more secular political context in the United Kingdom means that it is very possible for an atheist to become the British prime minister. Indeed, within wider Europe there have been instances of atheists being elected as national leaders, and in Australia the atheist Julia Gillard became prime minister (2010-13).

Chapter Contributors

  • Stuart McAnulla (s.d.mcanulla@leeds.ac.uk - stuartmcanulla) 'University of Leeds'