Comments on: A Freethinker in Congress! http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Wed, 7 Jan 2009 03:00:48 +0000 By: Bill Baker http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-23775 Bill Baker Wed, 09 May 2007 21:47:09 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-23775 I tend to use "non-theist" as a umbrella for all not theistic types; this includes Deists as well. I myself am a Non-theist; having spent the last few years as a Deist, Pandeist, and PanenDeist, and at times as an Agnostic Deist; now unsure of whether I'm more convinced by Atheism, Agnosticism, or Deism. Non-theist can also be distiguihsed from Anti-Theist, since one can be non-theist yet not anti-theistic. Personally I am anti-theistic. So, that congressman could be an yof those 3 main forms of non-theism, and perhaps like myself...undecided; of course he could be a non-theistic in the sense of Buddhist,Taoist,Modern Satanist, or whatever... but he likely would've just said so{except perhaps for coming out as a modern Satanist; good luck holding onto a position in congress as an out and proud Modern Satanist,LoL!!!}. I also would say Non-theisms{all} and "free-thought" are very close in spirit. In Reason: Bill Baker I tend to use "non-theist" as a umbrella for all not theistic types; this includes Deists as well.
I myself am a Non-theist; having spent the last few years as a Deist, Pandeist, and PanenDeist, and at times as an Agnostic Deist; now unsure of whether I'm more convinced by Atheism, Agnosticism, or Deism. Non-theist can also be distiguihsed from Anti-Theist, since one can be non-theist yet not anti-theistic. Personally I am anti-theistic.
So, that congressman could be an yof those 3 main forms of non-theism, and perhaps like myself...undecided; of course he could be a non-theistic in the sense of Buddhist,Taoist,Modern Satanist, or whatever... but he likely would've just said so{except perhaps for coming out as a modern Satanist; good luck holding onto a position in congress as an out and proud Modern Satanist,LoL!!!}.

I also would say Non-theisms{all} and "free-thought" are very close in spirit.

In Reason:
Bill Baker

]]> By: Daylight Atheism http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19408 Daylight Atheism Mon, 12 Mar 2007 16:34:26 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19408 The Congressional Nontheist Is Revealed Following up on my earlier post, the Secular Coalition for America has made good on its promise and has revealed the name of the first openly nontheistic member of the U.S. Congress: Democratic representative Pete Stark, a seventeen-term House member r... The Congressional Nontheist Is Revealed

Following up on my earlier post, the Secular Coalition for America has made good on its promise and has revealed the name of the first openly nontheistic member of the U.S. Congress: Democratic representative Pete Stark, a seventeen-term House member r...

]]> By: lpetrich http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19397 lpetrich Mon, 12 Mar 2007 02:56:37 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19397 The author of <a href="http://lehmann.typepad.com/in_lehmanns_terms/2007/03/a_heathen_under.html" rel="nofollow">A Heathen Under the Dome</a> proposes the other Hawaiian Representative, Neil Abercrombie. He's slammed fundies and theocracy several times, and he's had a taste for public theatrics that Barney Frank, for example, lacks. And more candidates from <a href="http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/demographics.tt?catid=religion&group=Not%20Stated" rel="nofollow">Not Stated</a>: Rep. Doc Hastings, D-WA Rep. Barbara Lee, D-CA Rep. Doris Matsui, D-CA Rep. Hilda Solis, D-CA Rep. Chris van Hollen, D-MD The author of A Heathen Under the Dome proposes the other Hawaiian Representative, Neil Abercrombie. He's slammed fundies and theocracy several times, and he's had a taste for public theatrics that Barney Frank, for example, lacks.

And more candidates from Not Stated:
Rep. Doc Hastings, D-WA
Rep. Barbara Lee, D-CA
Rep. Doris Matsui, D-CA
Rep. Hilda Solis, D-CA
Rep. Chris van Hollen, D-MD

]]> By: Michael http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19389 Michael Sun, 11 Mar 2007 21:37:24 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19389 Oh yes, I one more comment in response to Adam about the distinction between 'nontheist' and atheist. It is possible that the Congressperson could identify as an agnostic. I think they count as nontheists who may not specifically identify as atheists. Oh yes, I one more comment in response to Adam about the distinction between 'nontheist' and atheist. It is possible that the Congressperson could identify as an agnostic. I think they count as nontheists who may not specifically identify as atheists.

]]> By: Michael http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19388 Michael Sun, 11 Mar 2007 21:35:23 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19388 Some thoughts on lpetrich's list of possibilities: I don't think the person coming out is one of the Buddhists, just doesn't seem significant enough, though Hirono is an outside shot as some who is non-practicing. I especially don't think it is Hank Johnson, who represents a Southern (albeit safe Dem) district. I doubt it is one of the two Republicans mentioned, especially Bono, whose late husband was both a devout Catholic along with being a Scientologist, I believe. It definitely is not Kucinich. I don't know how anybody familiar with the man could think he is an atheist. He had a very pro-life record until his first presidential run and is known for some very New Agey, 'spiritual' type soundbites. One can be a very liberal theist as well. Nancy Johnson is no longer a Congresswoman. She lost to Chris Murphy in the last election, so scratch her. Kent Conrad represents a conservative state and was one of the few Democratic Senators to vote to confirm Alito. I doubt it is him. Mark Udall is running for Senate in a swing state, so I would be surprised if it was him. That leaves Abercrombie, Olver, Tierney, Blumenauer, Baldwin, Stark, Sanders, and Frank. I think that the most likely candidates are Sanders, Olver, and Frank. Some thoughts on lpetrich's list of possibilities:

I don't think the person coming out is one of the Buddhists, just doesn't seem significant enough, though Hirono is an outside shot as some who is non-practicing. I especially don't think it is Hank Johnson, who represents a Southern (albeit safe Dem) district.

I doubt it is one of the two Republicans mentioned, especially Bono, whose late husband was both a devout Catholic along with being a Scientologist, I believe.

It definitely is not Kucinich. I don't know how anybody familiar with the man could think he is an atheist. He had a very pro-life record until his first presidential run and is known for some very New Agey, 'spiritual' type soundbites. One can be a very liberal theist as well.

Nancy Johnson is no longer a Congresswoman. She lost to Chris Murphy in the last election, so scratch her.

Kent Conrad represents a conservative state and was one of the few Democratic Senators to vote to confirm Alito. I doubt it is him.

Mark Udall is running for Senate in a swing state, so I would be surprised if it was him.

That leaves Abercrombie, Olver, Tierney, Blumenauer, Baldwin, Stark, Sanders, and Frank.

I think that the most likely candidates are Sanders, Olver, and Frank.

]]> By: ang http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19355 ang Sun, 11 Mar 2007 16:09:58 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19355 I've been predicting Dennis Kucinich. He's very liberal and he's from Ohio (my home state). My husband predicts Barney Frank. I'm excited to hear the announcement and to see if it catches in the mainstream media. I've been predicting Dennis Kucinich. He's very liberal and he's from Ohio (my home state). My husband predicts Barney Frank. I'm excited to hear the announcement and to see if it catches in the mainstream media.

]]> By: lpetrich http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19175 lpetrich Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:18:17 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19175 I have a whole list: Buddhists: Rep. Mazie K. Hirono, D-HI Rep. Hank Johnson, D-GA Unaffiliated: Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-HI Rep. Mark Udall, D-CO Rep. John Walter Olver, D-MA Rep. John F. Tierney, D-MA Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-WI (LGBT) Unitarians: Rep. Pete Stark, D-CA Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-CT Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND Others: Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-VT (Jewish; Socialist, caucuses with Democrats) Rep. Barney Frank, D-MA (Jewish) Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-OH (Catholic) Rep. Ken Calvert, R-CA (Protestant / Objectivist) Rep. Mary Bono, R-CA (Protestant / Scientologist) Of these, I've seen John Olver, Barney Frank, and Bernie Sanders mentioned as the most likely candidates; clark of IIDB claims that there are several closeted atheists in Congress. I have a whole list:

Buddhists:
Rep. Mazie K. Hirono, D-HI
Rep. Hank Johnson, D-GA

Unaffiliated:
Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-HI
Rep. Mark Udall, D-CO
Rep. John Walter Olver, D-MA
Rep. John F. Tierney, D-MA
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR
Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-WI (LGBT)

Unitarians:
Rep. Pete Stark, D-CA
Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-CT
Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND

Others:
Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-VT (Jewish; Socialist, caucuses with Democrats)
Rep. Barney Frank, D-MA (Jewish)
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-OH (Catholic)
Rep. Ken Calvert, R-CA (Protestant / Objectivist)
Rep. Mary Bono, R-CA (Protestant / Scientologist)

Of these, I've seen John Olver, Barney Frank, and Bernie Sanders mentioned as the most likely candidates; clark of IIDB claims that there are several closeted atheists in Congress.

]]> By: Ebonmuse http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19134 Ebonmuse Fri, 09 Mar 2007 03:39:31 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19134 I'm still interested in hearing if anyone else has any guesses on who the nontheist congressperson might be. I'm still interested in hearing if anyone else has any guesses on who the nontheist congressperson might be.

]]> By: Infophile http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19078 Infophile Thu, 08 Mar 2007 18:41:13 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-19078 So, what's the term for the belief that if there is a god, s/he most definitely doesn't believe in you? "Aretrotheist," maybe? So, what's the term for the belief that if there is a god, s/he most definitely doesn't believe in you? "Aretrotheist," maybe?

]]> By: The Ridger http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-18964 The Ridger Thu, 08 Mar 2007 02:53:50 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/03/a-freethinker-in-congress.html#comment-18964 I like freethinker precisely because it's not "atheist" and people are more apt to listen to you. Also, it has a good history, and looks cool on a t-shirt. But then, I also like apatheist (don't know if there's a god and don't care either, since if there is one it doesn't care about us so what does it matter?). I use several terms, depending on context. I like freethinker precisely because it's not "atheist" and people are more apt to listen to you. Also, it has a good history, and looks cool on a t-shirt. But then, I also like apatheist (don't know if there's a god and don't care either, since if there is one it doesn't care about us so what does it matter?). I use several terms, depending on context.

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