Mike Huckabee On Faith: Honest Atheists Are Better Than Phony Christians

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- GOP Iowa presidential frontrunner Mike Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, has refused to say if Mitt Romney's Mormon faith is a Christian religion. Meanwhile, The Daily Bellwether has noticed that Huckabee's official campaign Web site contains an essay in which he discusses his religious views. He writes that candidate religious views should be shared and debated. Huckabee says he prefers "honest atheists" over phony believers.

"We should not banish religion from the public square, but should guarantee access to all voices and views. We should share and debate our faith, but never seek to impose it. When discussing faith and politics, we should honor the 'candid' in candidate -- I have more respect for an honest atheist than a disingenuous believer."

Romney has scheduled a speech for Thursday that will discuss his Mormon faith, which many theologians describe as an offshoot from conventional Christianity. Its scripture is the Book of Mormon, which is not part of the Bible used in Protestant and Catholic churches.