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US Congressman Holds No God-Belief
by Secular Coalition for America
http://www.secular.org/news/pete_stark_070312.html
Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) is first Congress member in history to acknowledge his nontheismFor 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."
If you would like to send a message to Congressman Stark, go to:
http://www.secular.org/activism/thank_stark_070312.html
Comments 1 - 45 of 45 |
Reload Comments | Back to Top | Page Numbers2. Comment #25369 by amazeen on March 12, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Bravo mr. Stark! In America it takes courage to admit this, and especially for elected officials. Other Comments by amazeen
3. Comment #25371 by mithraman on March 12, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Wow! Astounding! Great contest result, Secular Coalition for America! Thanks, Rep. Stark!Other Comments by mithraman
4. Comment #25372 by Bremas on March 12, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Also sent him an email.Other Comments by Bremas
5. Comment #25374 by nonsequitar on March 12, 2007 at 6:13 pm
A brave man in a lost world (america!) Kudos!Other Comments by nonsequitar
6. Comment #25375 by Teapot_Believer on March 12, 2007 at 6:16 pm
No doubt it takes "balls" to acknowledge a condition that is conterclockwise to people's mindset and that may seriously risk your career. Other Comments by Teapot_Believer
7. Comment #25379 by cheshirecat on March 12, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Briatins first atheisist MP was Charles Bradlaugh who was elected in 1880. He refused to take the oath on the grounds of his atheism which caused him inumerable difficulties and challenges fromhis opponents. However the speaker overuled the opposition complaints and he went on to be re-elected Liberal MP for Northampton. According to some his favourite party trick was to take out his pocket watch and time 60 seconds in which he challenged God to strike him down.(I hope the standard of debate has moved on from this but i'm not sure) He died (somewhat ironically) of Bright's disease in 1891.Other Comments by cheshirecat
8. Comment #25381 by Yorker on March 12, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Let's hope his brave act will encourage more of his ilk (who statistically must exist) to "come out" in support.Other Comments by Yorker
9. Comment #25383 by BigJohn on March 12, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Rep. Pete Stark has been a congressman since 1973. That's about 34 years. I expect he is safe in making this move, but it is nonetheless brave. I hope his bravery will encourage others, who may be a little safer than most, to come out. Once the flow is started, who knows, it may become a flood. One can only hope. Other Comments by BigJohn
10. Comment #25384 by Cwazy Cat Lady on March 12, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I sent an email, thanking him. I'll be curious to see if this makes any headlines whatsoever... Other Comments by Cwazy Cat Lady
11. Comment #25386 by WalkingARazor on March 12, 2007 at 9:06 pm
He's been around for a while in Congress. Maybe this news will make some people realize that non-theists are, in fact, quite capable of holding high-ranking public office. Go, Rep. Stark! Other Comments by WalkingARazor
12. Comment #25387 by James Carroll on March 12, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Wait, it says he acknowledges his non-theism, yet he's actually a unitarian, so he does believe in a God.It's not like he's an atheist or anything. I mean, not to downplay the thing, because to say you're a non-theist is still pretty "ballsy", but he also, in the same interview, identified himself as a unitarian, which means he believes in God.
Unless he says he doesn't believe in God, then it's no major achievement.
Sorry if I'm breaking any of your hopes here, but the man is a unitarian, not an atheist.
So we still have some time to wait...
Other Comments by James Carroll
13. Comment #25388 by lpetrich on March 12, 2007 at 9:20 pm
There is a joke that says that a Unitarian is someone who believes in at most one god.More seriously, the Unitarian Universalist Assocication has gone far from its origins as Trinity rejecters; they don't have any official position on how many gods they are.
Other Comments by lpetrich
14. Comment #25389 by justme on March 12, 2007 at 9:27 pm
James Carroll: "Wait, it says he acknowledges his non-theism, yet he's actually a unitarian, so he does believe in a God."You can be both a Unitarian and an atheist.
Other Comments by justme
15. Comment #25390 by Michael Paver on March 12, 2007 at 9:35 pm
One more e-mail sent in supportDear Rep. Stark:
Thank you for going on record as a nontheist!
For an elected official, in a nation that embraces faith as a virtue, your action took courage. By publicly acknowledging your absence of a god belief, you have made real, in the minds of countless other nontheists, the possibility that they too might seek to serve our country in positions of elected office, while honestly discussing matters of philosophy and religion. Thank you again for your courage and leadership.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Paver
Other Comments by Michael Paver
16. Comment #25391 by IPV4 on March 12, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Finally a congressman with some balls!Other Comments by IPV4
17. Comment #25392 by stgben on March 12, 2007 at 10:13 pm
He is Congressman for the 13th District in California which covers the Fremont area - the heart of Silicon Valley. This is a fairly educated area in California, so I'm guessing he does not have much to worry about from this announcement. Other Comments by stgben
18. Comment #25394 by James Carroll on March 12, 2007 at 10:46 pm
justme: You can be both a Unitarian and an atheist.Ah, I wasn't fully aware of the beliefs that Unitarians hold; I thought it was just a belief in some sort of God, just not the trinity or the divinity of Jesus.
Thank you for that then.
Other Comments by James Carroll
19. Comment #25397 by nogodude on March 12, 2007 at 10:51 pm
A little history on Pete Fortney StarkWhen Stark moved to the Bay Area in 1957, the Air Force veteran and MIT graduate became a banker and registered with the GOP because he "wanted to be a successful businessperson, and that's what a successful businessperson did."
But the Vietnam War, which he vehemently opposed, as he does the Iraq conflict, led Stark to switch parties. He also concocted a novel protest that helped launch his political career. He put peace symbols on the checks of his Security National Bank, and a giant peace sign on the roof of its Walnut Creek headquarters. The stunt won national attention, boosted his bank's deposits and drew the kind of annoyed attention that Stark seems to relish.
He admits a certain calculation. "It's awfully hard to differentiate a bank," he says, and "a pain in the butt" to switch checking accounts, which many people did as a result. But there is no mistaking his pleasure all these years later as he recalls evading local zoning laws — and the frowning city fathers of Walnut Creek — by declaring his peace sign an exempted "work of art."
Stark was elected to Congress in 1972, running as an antiwar environmentalist. He beat an 81-year-old incumbent in the Democratic primary and survived the McGovern undertow in November to win a House seat he has never relinquished. (Stark sold his bank after being elected; the proceeds made him a millionaire.)
Other Comments by nogodude
20. Comment #25402 by Tom Day on March 13, 2007 at 12:10 am
Cheshirecat: your story of Charles Bradlaugh and his watch made me laugh. I remember being caught in a storm whilst on a camping trip when I was a teenager (some 25 years ago). Some of my friends were very devout Christians and we were arguing about God when the storm started. Someone suggested that the storm was evidence of God's anger, at which point I remember challenging him to strike me down with lighting:-) Obviously I'm a bit older and wiser now and use a bit more subtlety in making my case.Other Comments by Tom Day
21. Comment #25410 by GoodbyeGodNZ on March 13, 2007 at 1:35 am
Damn great. One down and just a few hundred to go. They'll start to tumble like dominoes if they've got a gonad between them! Other Comments by GoodbyeGodNZ
22. Comment #25411 by Logicel on March 13, 2007 at 1:38 am
Cheshirecat, I also enjoyed your little story--especially the Bright connection! Other Comments by Logicel
23. Comment #25412 by Mikado on March 13, 2007 at 1:58 am
I have a problem with the Unitarian - atheist bit if this is Unitarianism:http://www.uua.org/aboutuu/
I would prefere it if Rep. Stark was just an atheist.
Other Comments by Mikado
24. Comment #25415 by Zelgadis on March 13, 2007 at 2:36 am
Baby steps, Mikado, baby steps. =D hehe I mean, he did answer "Yes" to the statement "I'm a non-theist". So let's cut him some slack... for now. ^-^ I'm going to have to follow up on this. Other Comments by Zelgadis
25. Comment #25417 by Hal9000 on March 13, 2007 at 2:42 am
Is this definately legit? It sounds a bit like the SCA spammed every politician in the US until one ticked a box that could be interpreted as non belief - I would be happier once Stark makes some kind of annoucement himself about thisEdit - just seen this quote in LA Times from Stark
"When the Secular Coalition asked me to complete a survey on my religious beliefs, I indicated I am a Unitarian who does not believe in a supreme being," Stark said. "Like our nation's founders, I strongly support the separation of church and state. I look forward to working with the Secular Coalition to stop the promotion of narrow religious beliefs in science, marriage contracts, the military and the provision of social services."
Other Comments by Hal9000
26. Comment #25419 by Noodly on March 13, 2007 at 2:58 am
Interestingly, "About Pete Stark" on http://www.petestark.com includes the following:Stark's community, church, and civic activities have included: ..... Chairman, Board of Trustees, Starr King School of Ministry ..... and many others.
Other Comments by Noodly
27. Comment #25423 by MartinSGill on March 13, 2007 at 3:28 am
I'm confused.The Unitarianism I looked up, basically says they believe god is a single entity, not a trinity.
Sort of implies you need to believe in a supreme being to be a Unitarian.
The Unitarian Universalism sounds a lot like Humanism disguised as a religion. The "Church of Humanism"; sounds a bit strange. Mind you, given the climate in the US, if they weren't the "church" of something, they'd probably find their buildings torched and their members declared Satanists.
Kudos though to Stark for speaking up, even if his views are a bit odd in my view.
Other Comments by MartinSGill
28. Comment #25425 by Hal9000 on March 13, 2007 at 3:42 am
@ MartinSGILLFrom what I have heard, in the States, saying you are a unitarian is a kind of politically correct way of saying you are an atheist.
Other Comments by Hal9000
29. Comment #25428 by Eamonn Shute on March 13, 2007 at 3:58 am
Quote: In an e-mailed statement, Stark said: "When the Secular Coalition asked me to complete a survey on my religious beliefs, I indicated I am a Unitarian who does not believe in a supreme being." http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003615230_stark13.html
Other Comments by Eamonn Shute
30. Comment #25436 by BeyondBelief on March 13, 2007 at 5:50 am
>> Ah, I wasn't fully aware of the beliefs that Unitarians holdThat's OK. Neither are we. :-) But you know what? If the worst thing that can be said about Unitarians is that they don't hold to any DOGMA, I stand convicted!
R.
Other Comments by BeyondBelief
31. Comment #25451 by simonchase on March 13, 2007 at 7:21 am
FROM THE UU FAQ:-------------------------------------------------
What do UUs believe about God?
Some Unitarian Universalists are nontheists and do not find language about God useful. The faith of other Unitarian Universalists in God may be profound, though among these, too, talk of God may be restrained. Why?
The word God is much abused. Far too often, the word seems to refer to a kind of granddaddy in the sky or a super magician. To avoid confusion, many Unitarian Universalists are more apt to speak of "reverence for life" (in the words of Albert Schweitzer, a Unitarian), the spirit of love or truth, the holy, or the gracious. Many also prefer such language because it is inclusive; it is used with integrity by theist and nontheist members.
-------------------------------------------------
So I guess as a non theist UU he worships "the spirit of love" which ain't too shabby at all. I guess I worship that too.
Other Comments by simonchase
32. Comment #25459 by Keinen_Gott on March 13, 2007 at 8:20 am
I believe your opponent next election dont use it against you in his/her campaign.Other Comments by Keinen_Gott
33. Comment #25460 by Keinen_Gott on March 13, 2007 at 8:20 am
sorry believe is supposed to be hope im tiredOther Comments by Keinen_Gott
34. Comment #25462 by mintcheerios on March 13, 2007 at 10:01 am
This is some of the best news I've heard in awhile.Other Comments by mintcheerios
35. Comment #25464 by sanjiv on March 13, 2007 at 10:47 am
For what its worth, atheists on this forum may like to know that India, the most populous democracy in the world has at least two openly atheist members of the ruling Cabinet - Mr. Jaipal Reddy and Mr. Manishankar Aiyar. While Mr. Reddy calls himself Agnostic and respects his wife's religious sensitivities, Mr. Aiyar is more direct - he has written a book - 'Secular Fundamentalist' in which he defends Secularism and clearly states that he is an atheist. India's ruling coalition also crucially depends on the support of an atheist party, the DMK. Another fact of interest is that two of the most literate states in India - Kerala and West Bengal, continue to vote in Communist parties. We atheists in India know that Communists are not atheist, but having Communist parties supporting the government does help in keeping religious fundamentalist parties at bay.As an Indian atheist, I also take pride in the fact that Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India was an atheist. Here's something that Nehru said:
"The spectacle of what is called religion, or at any rate organized religion, in India and elsewhere, has filled us with horror, and I have frequently condemned it and wished to make a clean sweep of it."
Other Comments by sanjiv
36. Comment #25471 by shetlandforpeace on March 13, 2007 at 1:59 pm
At times it's startling how different attitudes are in the US from the UK. Having only recently become aware of the whole subject (my interest fired up thanks to reading Climbing Mount Improbable) it seems the most appropriate action for all concerned people is to express our support for Pete Stark. Can anyone suggest the best way of getting this the highest possible profile in the media?Other Comments by shetlandforpeace
37. Comment #25472 by John Pritzlaff on March 13, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I sent him an appreciative email. What a brave man!Other Comments by John Pritzlaff
38. Comment #25482 by neander on March 13, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Bravo. I just emailed my support. Other Comments by neander
39. Comment #25486 by space monkey on March 13, 2007 at 4:24 pm
The article I read today said there were also two Buddhists elected to congress. Maybe someone here can offer further explaination. But I thought that Buddhism was a non-theistic religion. Therefore that would be 3 non-theists in Congress.Other Comments by space monkey
40. Comment #25493 by RichardPrins on March 13, 2007 at 5:42 pm
From http://moses.creighton.edu/JRS/2005/2005-11.htmlIn the United States popular support for the cultural and moral superiority of theism is so extensive that popular disbelief in God ranks as another major societal fear factor.
Other Comments by RichardPrins
41. Comment #25496 by dreamflow on March 13, 2007 at 5:59 pm
More info about Pete Stark:"He is known to have a longstanding interest in health care issues and has been critical of the fate of the uninsured under the current administration. In addition, Stark was one of the most vocal Congresspersons who spoke out against the war in Iraq."
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Stark
"The bottom line is I don't trust this president and his advisors"
- http://dir.salon.com/story/politics/feature/2002/10/10/stark/index.html
"Stark once brought up President Bush's personal battles with alcohol during a debate on federal funding of faith- based programs."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/07/23/ED251350.DTL
"Throughout his career in Congress, Stark has been a consistent advocate for peace, freedom of choice, and environmental preservation. He has been a tireless advocate for children, the elderly and the disabled as well as for the workers"
- http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/05/08/int05031.html
"Educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California, Berkeley, served in the United States Air Force, and was a bank executive before entering the House in 1972 "
- http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Pete_Stark
Other Comments by dreamflow
42. Comment #25512 by MartinSGill on March 13, 2007 at 11:49 pm
I sent him an email of support. And to my surprise, he answered, replying that he was surprised by the amount of support and encouragement he's been getting.He stood up and was counted. The least I can do is send him an email telling him I appreciate what he did and support him.
Other Comments by MartinSGill
43. Comment #25552 by Hal9000 on March 14, 2007 at 4:36 am
@MartinSGillNot fair - I didnt get a reply!
BTW you can make contributions to his campaign fund via his website, I thought it might be worth making a small ($10) contribution as if there is one thing that will bring politicians out of the closet as athiests its seeing that is has a positive impact on donations!
Other Comments by Hal9000
44. Comment #25592 by MartinSGill on March 14, 2007 at 7:56 am
@Hal9000Well, I'm a foreigner that makes me more important :P, either that or he liked my email more :P
Or maybe he just liked my name :P
Other Comments by MartinSGill
45. Comment #26020 by MartinSGill on March 16, 2007 at 6:25 am
Couple of days late, but I've finally written a blog post about this...http://blog.martinsgill.co.uk/archives/16
(yes, this is a blatant plug for my site)
Thanks to Cheshircat for pointing out Charles Bradlaugh.
Other Comments by MartinSGill
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1. Comment #25368 by 601 on March 12, 2007 at 5:29 pm
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