Headlines
Week of March 16, 2007
Congressman Admits He Is "Nontheist"
Secular groups this week praised California Democratic Congressman Pete Stark for being the first openly "nontheistic" member of Congress. Stark acknowledged that he does not believe in a supreme being. The Secular Coalition for America says he is the highest ranking public official to do so.
2007-03-21 05:06:48 · 24 answers · asked by Micah 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Honestly, I think it's utterly sad.
2007-03-21 05:09:38 · answer #1 · answered by ♥LadyC♥ 6 · 7⤊ 8⤋
Abraham Lincoln was an earlier non-theist who got into congress in 1834. He later went on to become president.
There have been several non-believers in the government, but none in the last 60+ years, especially as the "religious right" has been actively trying to gain every foothold it can and demonizes non-believers.
I say good for Pete Stark for having the balls to be true to his convictions and to logic/reason.
2007-03-21 12:13:43 · answer #2 · answered by Mike K 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm glad he did it. Someone had to be first. But it's probably the only district in American where a politician can be honest about his lack of religious convictions. You can simply look at their actions and know that very few politicians actually believe in a god of judgment in the Biblical sense. Most were lawyers first then politicians and bribe takers. By definition politicians have no Biblical morality nor humanist ethics either.
2007-03-21 12:12:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
He wasn't praised BECAUSE he doesn't believe in God. He was praised for having the courage to publicly admit that he doesn't believe in God. In this country, Christianity controls our government, and it is well-known that any politician who admits to being non-secular or an atheist is committing political suicide. It was very courageous of him to be willing to stand up for his own beliefs.
2007-03-21 12:40:07 · answer #4 · answered by Jess H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Obviously that's good- I would much prefer an honest congressman than a liar- even if he is christian. The people who think that's bad are the same one's who think politicians shouldn't be gay. Don't you think our government should represent all of us not just the straight theists?
2007-03-21 12:22:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wouldn't you rather someone openly admit that they aren't a believer than to base their platform on their "unfailing faith" and then make decisions which contradict those supposed beliefs?
At least someone's being honest.
2007-03-21 12:20:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It was funny and sad but has been going on for thousands of years. People don't want to belive in God.
It is in man and woman's nature to wonder and make assumptions. Some people believe in outerspace but have never been there. We believe in the layers of atmosphere but have no wings to prove it. We believe that E=Mc2 and that the Earth is round and has a core but we have never been to the center of it or circled it. We believe that a watch had a creator (manufacturer) but we have never been at its assembly. But God for some people is a fable.
For me it is easier to believe in God and creation because of past history and personal spirituality.
Free will lets us make our own choices to believe or not. Faith is Blind and that is the one I believe. I believe in One Supreme Being called; God the Father, Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. Now human minds can't fathom that bible passage. Faith given to the faithful awakens our souls to believe it to the max. We still can't understand it but actual grace help keeps us, believers.
So what do we do?
Wear a cross if you believe in Jesus and act like it.
Don't judge but don't vote for people with limited small minds. Act like you believe; forgive and love others and your God.
Know that God has time and all of us will die and we will all be judged based on our belief and actions.
Jesus will redeem His followers period!
His words won't ever go away and He will win over evil!
2007-03-21 12:32:51 · answer #7 · answered by hot wheels 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is praise for his courage in admitting that he does not follow the majority, NOT praise for the fact that he doesn't believe in God.
2007-03-21 12:12:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think that it's an extraordinary thing that such a matter is headline news in the US.
Here in the UK I just don't think it would be of interest. It also makes me wonder about how much 'we' and 'you' really have in common.
Thanks for the food for thought.
.
2007-03-21 12:18:48 · answer #9 · answered by Nobody 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Meh. Everybody's going to face their own judgement. Every religion believes in some sort of judgement for a person's deeds in their life.
As a good Muslim, I couldn't care less. I believe what I see is right, and everybody else can believe whatever it is they want. It isn't my right to judge, nor is it any man or woman's right to do so either.
2007-03-21 12:14:44 · answer #10 · answered by Master Strategist 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Good to be proud of yourself, but the problem is that he will not be proud in end times. Keep in mind that there will be many, and I mean many nonbelievers that have authority in this country. It all goes back to God's absolute prophesy. I am not concerned with nonbelievers having a political status. They are not going to change my feelings on issues or God.
2007-03-21 12:12:41 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋