Backlash to (UU) Rep. Stark's "Religious Confession"

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

I found this at the Talk to Action website...talk2action.com

-----------------------------------------------------

People for the American Way is reporting on Right-wing reactions to
the recent story of (UU) Congressman Stark's "coming out" as an
theological unbeliever.

"Yesterday we noted that Concerned Women for America was the first
right-wing group to publicly condemn Rep. Pete Stark for admitting
that he "does not believe in a Supreme Being. Well, they have now
been joined by the Traditional Values Coalition, who does CWA one
better by not only blasting Stark, but lying about him as well:

In a display of open hostility to God, California Representative
Peter Stark stood up on the Floor of the House on March 13 and
declared his unbelief in God. 'This is the first time in history that
a sitting member of Congress has openly expressed his lack of faith
in God,' said TVC Chairman Rev. Louis P. Sheldon. According to
Stark, 'When the Secular Coalition asked me to complete a survey on
my religious beliefs, I indicated I am a Unitarian who does not
believe in a supreme being.'

Christian Seniors Association Executive Director James Lafferty
notes: 'It is sad but not surprising that the current Congress has
produced this historic first – one of its members has denied God. The
liberals in Congress want to throttle any school child who bows his
or her head in prayer but they want to establish a right for liberals
to bash Christians and berate God around the clock.'

Lafferty continued, 'Congressman Stark's statement is a very sad
benchmark for America. It could be the moment which defines the
decline of our country or it could be the spark which marks an
important day. That would be the day that religious Americans stood-
up to the liberal bullies who are so determined to use the power of
government to silence prayer and every other religious expression of
free speech.'

Of course, only in TVC's fevered imaginations did Stark ever '
up on the Floor of the House on March 13 and declared his unbelief in
God.'

In actuality, Stark merely did exactly what TVC quotes him saying
above: he responded to an inquiry from the Secular Coalition for
America. Since then, he has declined to comment further.

That statement TVC quotes above was sent out by email by Stark's
office, not delivered on the House floor.

Elsewhere, the Christian Seniors Association, a TVC front group run
by Sheldon's son-in-law, issued its own press statement calling on
members of Congress to fight back against Stark's atheism:

"It is time for religious members of Congress to push back. A simple
declaration of a belief in God by members of Congress on the House
floor will be greatly informative for the American people. This is a
fight which is destined to be fought in America and we think it
should begin today. Apparently, a simple declaration of nonbelief is
enough to incite TVC and its proxies to launch an all-out religious
war."

Posted by Kyle at Right Wing Watch,

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/2007/03/cwas_religion_t.html

-- and --

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/2007/03/tvcs_religious.html

--------------------------------------------

"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every
fact, every opinion. Question with boldness EVEN THE EXISTENCE OF
A GOD; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of
reason than that of blindfolded fear." I suppose this quote from
Thomas Jefferson wouldn't be a problem for these folks, since it was
done in a private letter? In other words, it's not WHAT they believe,
it's what they SAY they believe that counts most...and, of course,
how and where you say it? (Hmmm...doesn't that sound like the...oh,
I don't know...the Middle Ages? The Inquisitors would be proud.)

Ron

(My UU website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/faith_of_the_free)

[saltpoint]

1. Stark should go right on believing what he wishes without regard for

what right-wing nutbags think.

Jefferson would have respected Stark's independence, IMO.

[MadMaddie]

2. And this is why many countries have removed any church from

having any influence in the governmental arena.

Last time I checked this is America and if anyone chooses to be an atheist that is his Constitutional right.

These neocon nuts should be careful of what they wish for, it might not be their religion that gets chosen.

[brazos121200]

3. Atheism is probably much more prevalent in today's world than many people believe.

Many who give lip service to God and Christianity are just going with the crowd without any real belief in God. The fact that this congressman was willing to stand up and tell the truth about his beliefs says a lot about his character and courage. There are probably quite a few congressmen and senators who are secretly athiests but fear to make a statement of their faith or lack of it. If the truth were known, I suspect as many as a third to a half of congressmen probably hold no religious faith, in both parties. I think they reflect the country as a whole.

[Doc_Technical]

4. This is something right out of "Catch-22."

"A simple
declaration of a belief in God by members of Congress on the House
floor will be greatly informative for the American people. This is a
fight which is destined to be fought in America and we think it
should begin today."


This sounds like the "Glorious Loyalty Oath Campaign."

[rpannier]

5. The saddest part about this is...

The TVC feels they have to lie about how Rep Stark did this.
It's one thing to have a hissy over someone's faith, or lack thereof.
But to jump out and boldly lie about what Rep Stark did and then use it the way they are is disgusting.

I don't really care if the representatives or groups come from the left, the center or the right. Using a bold-faced lie like that shows you don't even beliueve what you're saying. That you feel your position is so incredibly weak (or immature) that you have to make something up in order to give your position credence.
And it shows a lack of respect for the people you are addressing. That you feel they are either to stupid or uninformed to make decisions based on facts (ie the truth).

[and-justice-for-all]

6. I just reminded CWFA of some things...

...They clearly have forgotten, Iw ould have sent it to CSA but they do not have an online form.

To CWFA:

A couple of reminders I thought CWFA needs to read, because it sounds as though you missed these points about American.

Bill of Rights
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

As stated in jerffersons letter to Tripoli: " The United States Of America is in now way founded upon the Christian religion."

The Constitution is the law of the land, not the bible. If you want to live in a Theocracy, move to Iran.

[papau]

7. Talk about an over-reaction - WOW! What if a Buddhist is elected and someone points out that

Buddhism is a non-theistic religion.

As usual, I find that there are in the believers group folks "on my side" that turn out to be more annoying that any atheist on DU!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

8. Remember Senator Frank Church of Idaho?

He was on the Watergate Committee.

His son, The Rev. F. Forrester Church, is a well-known Unitarian minister.
=====

Right on, Congressman Stark!

www.uua.org

[toddaa]

9. Each day the EAC grows stronger (hah hah hah hah)

I love this quote

Lafferty continued, 'Congressman Stark's statement is a very sad
benchmark for America. It could be the moment which defines the
decline of our country or it could be the spark which marks an
important day. That would be the day that religious Americans stood-
up to the liberal bullies who are so determined to use the power of
government to silence prayer and every other religious expression of
free speech.'

Yes, Lafferty, we're coming for you and your children. We're setting up education camps for you and your kind. Through hard physical labor you will learn to spit on the one you call Christ.

[rosesaylavee]

10. Shhhhhhhhh....

Don't tell the fundies that many of our founders were Freemasons. :wow:

The few atheist UUs I know are more compassionate and thoughtful in word and deed than most people. Their attitude appears to be - hey, this life is my opportunity to do right here and now as there is no 'later'.

Proud Unitarian Universalist here and theist.