Rev. Billy Graham's Daughter: 'I Would Not Vote for...an Atheist' (POLL)

Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of revered televangelist the Rev. Billy Graham, appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, where she joined other faith leaders in discussing religious freedom and politics. Among the topics debated and the statements made, Lotz said that she would not vote for an atheist -- a statement that will certainly ruffle non-believers' feathers.

In making the bold claim, Lotz told host David Gregory that she prefers candidates who believe in the existence of a higher power and who conduct themselves under consideration that God has a presence in the world.

"I would not vote for a man who was an atheist because I believe you need to have an acknowledgement or a reverence or a fear for almighty God," Lotz said. "I believe that's where wisdom comes from."

Watch her make these comments, below (around 20:00):

This distrust of atheists is widespread in society, as the vast majority of Americans claim that a belief in God is something they value in presidential candidates. In fact, a poll that Gregory showed from Dec. 2011 found that 86 percent of Americans said that it is at least somewhat important that presidential candidates believe in God.

Some may contend that the discrimination that is purported to exist against atheists is overblown, but a Gallup poll from 2011 seems to show an inherent bias — at least when it comes to electoral politics. People, as you will see below, are less likely to vote for atheists than they are for women, blacks, Baptists, Jews, Mormons and gays:

Atheists, though, are working diligently to change their image in the public eye. As The Blaze has reported, non-believers have launched a progressive National Atheist Party.

What do you think? Would you vote for an atheist in a presidential election?

(H/T: Urban Christian News)

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