Why no Atheists in congress?

Question

Shouldn't Congress be a fair repensintaion of American. Why is it political suicide to claim no religion?

thanks. do you know who the six with No affiliation are?

Answer 1

Actually six do claim no affiliation. That of course does not necessarily make them Atheists, it just means no one knows what they are. Here is the breakdown as of 01/08/2007:

Catholic 155; Baptist 67; Methodist 61; Presbyterian 44; Jewish 43; Episcopal 37; Protestant nondenominational 26; Christian nondenominational 18; Lutheran 17; Mormon 15; United Church of Christ 7. Eastern Orthodox 5; Christian Science 5; Assemblies of God 4; Unitarian Universalist 2; African Methodist Episcopal 2; Buddhists 2; Evangelical 2; Seventh Day Adventists 2; Christian Reformed 2; Disciples of Christ 2; Church of Christ 2; Congregational Baptist 1; Anglican 1. Reorganized Mormon 1; Quaker 1; Church of God 1; Muslim 1; Evangelical Lutheran 1; Church of the Nazarene 1; Evangelical Methodist 1.

No affiliation 6.

Additional:

I can't find a breakdown online for the 110th congress as of yet. The 109th congress had four though:

Tammy Baldwin, D GLBT (relig. affil. unspecified)
John Olver, D unspecified
John Tierney, D unspecified
Earl Blumenauer, D unspecified

According to what I have found, all six of the current ones, which may include those four, are Democratic Representatives (no Senators)

Answer 2

Religion is strictly window dressing in politics. It's considered "wholesome," "value-oriented," "ethical," etc. I think the biggest question is how many politicians, most of which are well educated and reasonably intelligent, really buy into it?

I was walking down the street the other day when I was approached by a couple of Mormon boys in their late teens or early 20s looking to propogate their faith. They asked me if I had found Jesus Christ. I replied that I didn't know he was missing. Undetered, they asked me if I believe in God. I told the truth and told them no. They admonished me by telling me I really SHOULD believe in God. I tried to explain to them that BELIEVING in something and WANTING to believe in something are two different things. I would love to believe in an all-powerful, merciful entity that rewards our lives with eternal bliss. I would also like to believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy and Martians and lots of other things. But I don't because they are fantasy.

Until athiests (or at least agnostics) unite in some way and form a lobby of their own they will never have a chance. If I was going to run for office the first thing I would do is put in some token photo op appearances at a church. Sad, but it's just the way it is. Did you see the movie "Contact?" I think it pretty well answers your question.

Answer 3

Voting for Congress in America is based on the will of the majority. In other words, the person with the most votes wins. Therefore, although there may be 5-10% atheists in the public sector, they cannot win the majority of votes in any single race. It is just plain numbers.

Answer 4

Politicians know that if they have no religion going into an election cycle they have to fake it in their campaign.

They also have to fake going hunting.

They also have to fake hugging kids.

They also have to fake being seen with veterans in wheelchairs.

(Are you sensing a pattern? Most American voters are Christians with family values, want the best for their kids and love our service members. Liberals: are you listening?)

Actually, the hunting part I don't get. Most people don't really do that any more.

Answer 5

What's worse, an Honest Atheist Congressman or a Godless Cogressman who simply claims a religion for Political Imagery?
At least I know not to vote for the first. You can't see the second coming.

Answer 6

And you know this because................????

It is nobodys business what religion you are. It's no ones business what church you belong to, what god you espouse - or if you believe in anything.

Personally, I don't care if they worship trees....as long as they do what they are supposed to. Most of the wars in history have been fought over religion - including the current one and I have seen massive abuses by people who call themselves christians....

Answer 7

Many people simply do not trust atheists. Even though I am religious and a Republican, I don't think that the lack of a belief in God makes you unqualified.

Answer 8

I think the reason why it is political suicide to claim no relgion, is because people find those who believe in religion, specifically Christianity, to be good people. They relate reglion with morals, and thus those who dont believe in religion have no morals.

Answer 9

No one cares about Congress.

Answer 10

IT isn't political suicide. If you can present a platform and agenda that most the people in your district want, you'll be elected. It's just most atheist don't have an agenda the majority of any district wants. That's the way it works. Most atheist are outside the majority's way of thinking.