Posted on 03/13/2007 3:51:09 PM PDT by seanmerc
Secular groups applauded Rep. Pete Stark for publicly acknowledging he does not believe in a supreme being. The declaration, they said, makes the California Democrat the highest-ranking elected official - and first congressman - to publicly claim to be an atheist.
The American Humanist Association took out an ad in the Washington Post on Tuesday, congratulating Stark's stance.
"With Stark's courageous public announcement of his nontheism, it is our hope that he will become an inspiration for others who have hidden their conclusions for far too long," the group's executive director, Roy Speckhardt, said in a statement.
Stark's beliefs garnered attention after the Secular Coalition for America offered a $1,000 prize to the person who could identify the "highest level atheist, agnostic, humanist or any other kind of nontheist currently holding elected public office in the United States."
Associate director Ron Millar told the Los Angeles Times that the group wanted to highlight the difficulty that politicians have declaring they don't believe in God.
A member of American Atheists California nominated Stark.
"We didn't think we'd have any member of Congress come forward," Millar said.
Stark confirmed his belief in a statement to The Associated Press late Monday. He said he was "a Unitarian who does not believe in a supreme being."
"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," he wrote.
"I don't believe in Pete Stark" -- God
I don't care
Clearly, the only "Supreme Being" Stark believes in is himself.
Most democrats are followers of satan.
What about Bernie Sanders?
Not much of a surprise...
How sad, prayers for him.
He apparently doesn't know what Unitarian means. I wonder if he knows what an atheist is or even when Armstrong walked on Mars.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Fortney is living proof that Psalm 14:1 was right on.
What about Barnie Frank??!
I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they finally come face to face with Him.
No, sadly, God still does believe in Pete Stark. Pray for him.
And hopefully his constituants will take that into account when next he runs for office.
Petey thinks he IS God.
See #15 & #16 ;)
Fortney Stark is a jerk. Always was and always will be.
Just a worthless jerk.
No, I can't pray for him. He made his arrogant choice.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.