Atheist in Congress!

**The An-Jel** · 03-18-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Congressman Holds No God-Belief
Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) is first Congress member in history to acknowledge his nontheism
For Immediate Release
Contact: Lori Lipman Brown, (202) 299-1091
March 12, 2007

There is only one member of Congress who is on record as not holding a god-belief.

Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.), a member of Congress since 1973, acknowledged his nontheism in response to an inquiry by the Secular Coalition for America. Rep. Stark is a senior member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and is Chair of the Health Subcommittee.

Although the Constitution prohibits religious tests for public office, the Coalition's research reveals that Rep. Stark is the first open nontheist in the history of the Congress. Recent polls show that Americans without a god-belief are, as a group, more distrusted than any other minority in America. Surveys show that the majority of Americans would not vote for an atheist for president even if he or she were the most qualified for the office.

Herb Silverman, president of the Secular Coalition for America, attributes these attitudes to the demonization of people who don't believe in God. "The truth is," says Silverman, "the vast majority of us follow the Golden Rule and are as likely to be good citizens, just like Rep. Stark with over 30 years of exemplary public service. The only way to counter the prejudice against nontheists is for more people to publicly identify as nontheists. Rep. Stark shows remarkable courage in being the first member of Congress to do so."

In October, 2006 the Secular Coalition for America, a national lobby representing the interests of atheists, humanists, freethinkers, and other nontheists, announced a contest. At the time, few if any elected officials, even at the lowest level, would self-identify as a nontheist. So the Coalition offered $1,000 to the person who could identify the highest level atheist, agnostic, humanist or any other kind of nontheist currently holding elected public office in the United States.

In addition to Rep. Stark only three other elected officials agreed to do so: Terry S. Doran, president of the School Board in Berkeley, Calif.; Nancy Glista on the School Committee in Franklin, Maine; and Michael Cerone, a Town Meeting Member from Arlington, Mass.

Surveys vary in the percentage of atheists, humanists, freethinkers and other nontheists in the U.S, with about 10% (30 million people) a fair middle point. "If the number of nontheists in Congress reflected the percentage of nontheists in the population," Lori Lipman Brown, director of the Secular Coalition, observes, "there would be 53-54 nontheistic Congress members instead of one."

Rep. Pete Stark (D-Cal.): first openly nontheistic member of Congress

I bet you talk to the guy he is in more of a position of an Agnostic that Atheist. Congress knows **** except about power period.

Does this show a trend now that this guy comes out?

He might be going for President which I sincerely doubt but what would your opinion be of that?

lauraclay · 03-20-2007, 12:18 PM

I hate how closely tied together church and state are. I think it's really sad how it's been this long as a nontheistic state and we are just now getting a nontheistic leader. I don't believe religion should be an issue in electing an official, only their personal values. I've yet to meet two people of any religion, or non-religion, who believe the exact same thing. You can't stereotype a person based on religion, so it shouldn't be an issue. Then again, the same goes for sex and race, and look at the role those play.

**The An-Jel** · 03-20-2007, 04:21 PM

You know what I find odd. The people in power need to think they are accountable to someone greater than themselves so that they feel they are accountable. The underlying feeling for me is that if they didn't feel they had a God that they or the people they rule would have no need for morals, respect, or any form of respect for life. I think it is really aimed at themselves but that just me.

It really leads me to question the direction of our world is going in!

lauraclay · 03-20-2007, 08:35 PM

Maybe you're right. Maybe being the ultimate power, the highest authority is too much for man to handle. Maybe the government does feel the need to answer to somebody. Or maybe that way they can just always play the God card. Like, "President Bush, why can't gays get married?" He would never answer, "Because I don't like them, and for some reason I think that's wrong." Nope, we would have a problem with that. Who cares what he thinks? It is much easier and safer for him to respond, "God says it's wrong." Who can argue with God? The response to him changes from attacking his beliefs to a church vs state argument. No one in their right mind is going to outrightly declare that religion is wrong. You will have people attacking his interpretation of the Bible, or the fact that he's using it to govern, but no one, no one with any power anyway, will come out and say, "Well, the Bible is wrong." Therefore, Bush is right, it's just a matter of whether or not we will count it.

**The An-Jel** · 03-21-2007, 12:12 AM

Yeah isn't that vile? I mean he holds the evangelists in the palm of his hand. He seems to be loved by those people no matter what he does. I think thats what drives the stupid bastard! McCain who held himself well in the past folded before George and his constituency.

I don't know how you believe exactly. They validate themselves by thinking they are doing God's work. They are playing both sides of the game so they can make sure they are in POWER thats all. Justifications are all in the majority (the people with money, an absolute minority). It's about who is going to give them money?

Humans can handle power it really is a matter is if we want to think beyond just the self. Does that make sense?

Og · 03-21-2007, 06:56 AM

I thought the whole point of democracy was that the highest power was the people that the politicians represented. Why would they need god when they have that?

jaej · 03-21-2007, 09:20 PM

Because they have been told that humans are incapable; we are flawed, and we need a god for guidance. Well, god hasn't gotten us very far this administration...

lauraclay · 03-21-2007, 09:26 PM

We don't have a true democracy. We have a democratic republic. Just like there's no true communism. It always goes dictatorial. Well, maybe not just like, but close.

Faith · 03-22-2007, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Og

I thought the whole point of democracy was that the highest power was the people that the politicians represented. Why would they need god when they have that?

Because politics can't take you to heaven, politics doesn't love you and care for you. God hasn't gotten us very far? Say that next time you go to lay down in a warm bed to sleep, or go get something to eat or drink. Stop complaining.

Og · 03-22-2007, 06:14 AM

I think it's very neat that you have this mental construct that makes you feel loved and cared for, Faith. I appreciate that aspect of what religion brings to the lives of many people.