Posts: 617
Threads: 110
Joined: March 20, 2011
Reputation:
8
Why not more of us in Congress?
June 13, 2012 at 10:51 am
Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) calls himself an Atheist no one else. is it because Atheists are the most hated and distrusted groups out there.
It makes sense I think there are more Atheists in Congress but won't admit it for obvious reasons.
I read if growth continues at the current rate, one in four Americans will profess no religious faith within 20 years. That' s incredible and great news
I guess Atheism is easy to catch.
Manowar
Posts: 10731
Threads: 15
Joined: September 9, 2011
Reputation:
119
RE: Why not more of us in Congress?
June 13, 2012 at 11:44 am
An atheist got elected councilman of Asheville, NC. The opposition has tried to get his election overturned because of his atheism, but 14th Amendment prevails over state constitutions. I hear he (Cecil Bothwell) is running for congress.
http://bothwell2012.com/
Posts: 6946
Threads: 26
Joined: April 28, 2012
Reputation:
83
RE: Why not more of us in Congress?
June 13, 2012 at 2:06 pm
A prounouncement of atheism would be electoral suicide in most districts if there is merit to the figures below. I agree that there are likely more atheists in congress (not many more, but more), but we'll likely never hear of them in the near future.
![[Image: traits4.png]](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=hooglyboogly.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2Ftraits4.png)
Posts: 8781
Threads: 26
Joined: March 15, 2010
Reputation:
29
RE: Why not more of us in Congress?
June 13, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Everyone has the right to run for public office, however they should have to declare what they believe about themselves, this is only right, the voting public should know who they are voting for, and religious or non religious is important to the American public. As it is the right that anyone can run for public office, it is the right of the people to know who they are voting for.
God loves those who believe and those who do not and the same goes for me, you have no choice in this matter. That puts the matter of total free will to rest.
Posts: 1298
Threads: 42
Joined: January 2, 2012
Reputation:
32
RE: Why not more of us in Congress?
June 13, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Seeming as a lot of Americans will automatically disqualify a candidate if they are not christian, I see no reason why a candidate for an election should have to reveal their religious status. It is ultimately irrelevant to their politics, and could even kick voters in the arse if they vote for the obvious worse candidate because they are not atheist.
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. - J.R.R Tolkien
Posts: 67295
Threads: 140
Joined: June 28, 2011
Reputation:
162
RE: Why not more of us in Congress?
June 13, 2012 at 3:30 pm
(This post was last modified: June 13, 2012 at 3:34 pm by The Grand Nudger.)
Good idea GC, maybe we can ask them to put their hands on a bible and swear that they believe in god, because you know..why would they lie? lol. You have no idea who the fuck you're voting for, only the product they are selling you. They, on the other hand, know all about you. Market research. The only people likely to have the sorts of resources available to enagage in similar research on any given candidate is their opposition, and guess what, the report they give to you is a product as well. You're sourcing info from a competing provider. Color me un-surprised if you don't like whats in the report coming out of your favorite boys mouth about his competition.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
Posts: 617
Threads: 110
Joined: March 20, 2011
Reputation:
8
RE: Why not more of us in Congress?
June 13, 2012 at 6:26 pm
What about in the military read below It's a good point
Atheists are clamoring for recognition in another area of public life — the military. The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers estimates that 40,000 soldiers identify as nonbelievers, and counts the most famous casualty of the war in Afghanistan, former NFL star Pat Tillman, as one of its own. In attempting to secure the same rights and support enjoyed by religious soldiers, the association lobbies against the idea that "there are no atheists in foxholes," and wants "atheist chaplains" made available for the ranks of the armed nonbelievers. Jason Torpy, the association's president, says that nonbelievers outnumber every religious group in the military except Christians, yet receive no ethical and family counseling geared to their own nonbeliefs. "These are things that chaplains do for everybody," he said, "except us."
Manowar
Posts: 69247
Threads: 3759
Joined: August 2, 2009
Reputation:
259
RE: Why not more of us in Congress?
June 13, 2012 at 7:03 pm
Quote:Everyone has the right to run for public office, however they should have to declare what they believe about themselves,
For once in your miserable life you are right, G-C.
I want to know what stupid shit my elected representatives believe in. And dead jews coming back to life rates right on the top of my "Fuck You" list.
Posts: 629
Threads: 38
Joined: April 12, 2012
Reputation:
13
RE: Why not more of us in Congress?
June 13, 2012 at 7:12 pm
(This post was last modified: June 13, 2012 at 7:13 pm by jackman.)
i think we have a closet agnostic president right now. when i hear people say "i'm a christian", some say it with a certain conviction an some say it like, "i'm a ... uh ... a christian". i think our current is the latter. perhaps i just want to think that.
they can land a rover on mars, yet they still have to stick a human finger up my ass to do a prostate exam?! - ricky gervais
Posts: 7388
Threads: 168
Joined: February 25, 2009
Reputation:
45
RE: Why not more of us in Congress?
June 13, 2012 at 8:49 pm
I'd be willing to bet there are a LOT more atheists in US public life than are willing to admit it.
Here it's dogmatic theists who are the minority in politics. However, Tony Abbot, leader of the opposition is a rabid Catholic. He even takes advice from that slimy,pedophile-protecting archbishop George Pell, the Pope's Aussie Rottweiller.
|
