Could an atheist be president in America?

That would be “disastrous,” said Michael Medved.

Medved gave his reasons at a luncheon at Grove City College on April 10 during its “Church & State 2008” conference.

There’s an “atheist movement” in America, with 15 percent of the population identifying themselves as non-religious, said Medved, who is a political commentator and movie critic on the popular, nationally syndicated “Michael Medved Show.”

“It’s a big group, with mostly a Democratic leaning,” he added.

However, 75 percent of Americans say they would never vote for an atheist, which Medved believes is due to the unique position of U.S. presidents and American ideals of faith.

A president is both a head of state and head of the nation.

In the former, they are required to attend American religious ceremonies and traditions. Many of those are Christian in nature.

Medved amused listeners by having them imagine an atheist president who would refrain from saying “one nation under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Or not entering sanctuaries for ceremonial events.

“You’d have to change all the patriot songs,” he added, since most mention God or Jesus.

Despite their flaws or popularity rating, “All presidents have a ‘mystical’ connection to the people,” Medved said.

To disconnect faith from the office alienates most Americans from that mysticism, he noted.

“Most presidents don’t win on platforms, but if he agrees with you on the universal idea of right and wrong; good and evil; and a powerful God who judges nations and individuals,” Medved said.

Past presidential hopefuls like Mitt Romney and Joe Lieberman weren’t rejected because they are Mormon and Jewish, respectively.