Answer this question: What’s wrong with potential, but as yet undeclared, presidential candidate Rick Perry hosting a day of prayer and fasting?

If you said “nothing,” then answer this: What’s wrong with an atheist becoming president?

Many who affirm the right of Texas Governor Perry to put on a display of faith would put their foot down at the idea of a non-believer holding office. Conversely, many who argue that Perry’s gesture crosses separation of church and state boundaries or excludes Americans of other faiths…well, they might also balk at the idea of an atheist in the Oval Office.

As a nation we’ve come a long way since the days when some voters fretted over a Catholic—John F. Kennedy—occupying the White House for fear he would take orders directly from Rome. We’ve come a long what since the days of segregation and “a woman’s place is in the home.” But we have yet to fully engage the notion that someone may differ from us in a more general belief, or in family structure, or whatever other limits we apply, and still be a good and worthy American.

Once elected, Barack Obama felt compelled to get a family dog. What if he really wanted a cat? What if the Obamas refused to have children? Or worse, what if he were a confirmed bachelor?

The result? Well-qualified people with perhaps one or two splotches on their character sheet cannot run for office. Those who do must tread carefully, revealing certain beliefs to their base while amending them when facing those who disapprove.

Simply put, there is nothing sinister or unconstitutional in Perry’s day of pray and fasting. Asking for divine help in a time of economic crisis can hardly hurt.  In this space, we believe he’s unqualified for other reasons—but as he has yet to announce, our reservations are moot.

Our position is this: The United States has been and should continue to be the greatest, most forward thinking country on earth. By insisting that politicians pass certain standards of faith, sign pledges right or left, adhere strictly to a single ideal, own pets or bear children, we as voters cut potentially better qualified candidates from the field.

And that, ultimately, hurts our nation.