America finally has its first openly atheist Congressman in the modern era of politics. Maybe ever. Fourtney “Pete” Stark has “come out” with a public admission of his nontheism. However, he still insists that he is a Unitarian, albeit one without a “God-belief.”
Congressman Stark is a Democrat representing California’s East Bay (he has never actually lived within the district he represents — Hayward, Alameda, and Fremont) and serves on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. In other words, he doesn’t have anything to lose by “coming out” — he will hold his seat in Congress for as long as he cares to. Which may not be for much longer; he is 75 years old and apparently entering the twilight of his political career.
Unfortunately for the likes of me, he’s also one of the most liberal members of the House of Representatives. Perhaps this accurately reflects his district, perhaps not; either way, I find it distasteful to be associated with him. Please remember, Loyal Readers — not all atheists are liberal, any more than all Christians are conservative! About the only thing we agree on is skepticism about the supernatural.
Stark is also rather ill-mannered and has called Republicans things like “fruitcakes,” “Nazis,” and worse. Other liberal members of Congress are able to advocate their point of view without calling people names, but Carpetbagger Pete apparently gets a pass on the ostensible need to adhere to a standard of civility in public debate.
As poster boys for atheists in politics go, this is not a good start. If it must be a Democrat, I suppose I can accept that. But surely we seculars can do better than this.
