Humanist Group Claims 24 Members Of Congress Privately Admitted To Being Atheists

[SecularMotion]

LONDON (RNS) During a visit here four years ago, Maggie Ardiente of the American Humanist Association bragged to her British counterparts about the one atheist in the U.S. Congress, Rep. Pete Stark of California.

Her host, the chief executive of the British Humanist Association, indulged her for a moment before mentioning that the U.K.’ s All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group was 150 members strong, most of them elected atheists.

Earlier this month, Ardiente conceded at the World Humanist Congress meeting in Oxford: “We’re really behind when it comes to humanism in politics.”

After Stark, a Democrat, lost his House seat in 2012, the number of openly atheist politicians in U.S. Congress slipped back to zero.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/22/atheist-congress-members_n_5701377.html

[Brettongarcia]

1. Christians have always discriminated against - and even tortured and killed - nonbelievers.

In self defense, many non-believers historically don't tell anyone about their affiliation.

[cbayer]

2. That wouldn't surprise me at all. In fact, in light of US demographics, it seems low.

I am hopeful that in the near future, it will no longer be an issue and people can openly state their non-belief.

[AtheistCrusader]

3. I'm glad they didn't out them.

[Lordquinton]

4. Pete Stark was a greap rep.

Lived in his district before I knew who he was. He had the first tall building in the city, which they tore down right after they ousted him.

[cbayer]

5. You were lucky to have him. A great rep and a very brave man.

I wish more would follow in his footsteps, like the guy in Arizona is doing.

Never heard the story about the first tall building. Why did they tear it down?

[Lordquinton]

6. I don't know the real reason, could be it was old

I don't think he owned it anymore, but given how petty and vindictive the California Republican party is I don't think it's exactly a coincidence that it got torn down the same year he left the house.