Puerto Rican Gubernatorial Candidate Alexandra Lúgaro Proudly Proclaims Her Atheism in New Video

[rug]

November 3, 2016
by Hemant Mehta

Next week, while we’re fretting about the presidential election, Puerto Rico will be voting for its next governor. And one of the main independent candidates in the race, Alexandra Lúgaro, recently told a journalist that she didn’t believe in God.

As you might imagine, there was a lot of nasty pushback against her comments — 97% of Puerto Ricans are Christian — but Lúgaro did an incredible thing: Instead of walking back what she said, she went on Facebook and elaborated on why she left the Catholic Church, why she considers herself an atheist, and why that shouldn’t stop anyone from supporting her.

The speech was honest, open, and remarkable.

Here’s a rough translation of the video provided by Alvaro Ibañez. (In addition to Spanish, he also translates from English and German, in case you need some freelance work done!) I’ve edited it a bit, too. If you notice any mistakes, please let me know.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/11/03/puerto-rican-gubernatorial-candidate-alexandra-lugaro-proudly-proclaims-her-atheism-in-new-video/

https://www.facebook.com/alugaro/

She's running as an Independent. 12:21 video at link.

[guillaumeb]

1. If only there were major candidates in the US who took such a position.

I do not vote in the upcoming election for Pope, I will vote for a President. I do not care what Clinton's religious views are.

I find it sad that politicians from both major parties seem to compete for the title of most religious and most patriotic.

[rug]

2. If only there were people who freely speak their views.

This woman shows how easily it can be done.

[guillaumeb]

3. Easy? Only if one has the courage.

Far too many in the US are convinced that this country was founded as an explicitly Christian nation. 400 years of false narrative is difficult to overcome.

[rug]

4. Not much is accomplished without courage.