Pete Stark (D-CA-Atheist) Tapped To Replace Rangel

[stopbush]

The only avowed atheist in Congress has just been tapped by Nancy Pelosi to head the Ways & Means Committee.

How soon before the anti-atheist bigotry gets going to try and derail the choice?

[Arkana]

1. How many people outside Stark's district KNOW he's an atheist?

I didn't even know until I read this.

[stopbush]

2. Oh, the country will know soon enough if the Bible thumpers want them to.

I look at it as a small victory for those of us not enamored of fantasy-based living.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. The Secular Coalition of America searched for the most prominent non-believing politician

and he seemed to be the one:

Secular groups Monday applauded a public acknowledgment by Rep. Pete Stark that he does not believe in a supreme being, making the Fremont Democrat the first member of Congress -- and the highest-ranking elected official in the U.S. -- to publicly acknowledge not believing in God.
...
Stark's declaration came in response to a search by the Secular Coalition for America to find the most prominent nonbelieving politician.

The advocacy group, which according to its website calls for extending "religious tolerance ... to people of all religions and to those without religious beliefs," offered a $1,000 prize to the person who could identify the "highest-level atheist, agnostic, humanist or any other kind of non-theist currently holding elected public office in the United States."
...
"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," Stark said. "Like our nation's founders, I strongly support the separation of church and state. I look forward to working with the Secular Coalition to stop the promotion of narrow religious beliefs in science, marriage contracts, the military and the provision of social services."

http://articles.latimes.com/2007/mar/13/nation/na-atheist13

So it was around in a few articles 3 years ago. It was noted on DU.

[DeSwiss]

3. K&R!!!

"Mr. Congressman, don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining." -- crazy birther handjob to Rep Pete Stark (D-CA), "I wouldn't dignify you by peeing on your leg. It wouldn't be worth wasting the urine." -- Rep Pete Stark (D-CA) to the crazy teabagging, birther handjob, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/15/pete-stark-i-wouldnt-dign_n_287080.html">Link

- This is my kinda Congressman......

[demosincebirth]

4. I know him personally and he's always been tolerant of Religions,not like many on Du.

I'm Catholic and never had a problem voting for him, or any other so-called atheist...he's a democrat!

[Uzybone]

6. Good choice by Pelosi

[AzDar]

7. Sounds like a good man for the job...

:thumbsup:

[KamaAina]

8. But he is a person of faith

he's a fellow UU.

If (when) they attack him, they'll be attacking me, too.

[KingFlorez]

9. I don't think it will be a problem

Stark has been there for years and has never had any problems. He's the right person for the job, that's all that matters here.

[Carnage251]

10. Good Call Speaker

:thumbsup:

[Ramulux]

11. Awesome

I hope this works out.