The Religious Makeup of Congress: A New Portrait

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Just thought Id introduce myself,
Names jarun. I like old school rts gamez,jogging, and this forum! =]

capnmingmatch of AL 11:25PM January 17, 2009

Yes, nonreligious people are more tolerant of religious people than vice versa because we have no choice. But I'd bet money that many members of Congress who have no god belief just make one up and wander into some church on Sundays because they are too scared to admit to being atheists -- the category of person least likely to ever earn an American vote (for president, anyway) according to polls. Pete Stark is the only one gutsy enough to admit it, and he got re-elected!
Ordinary citizens lie all the time and keep their non-belief a secret -- surely Congress members do, too.

of DC 7:37PM December 22, 2008

At least two members of the House, both current and incoming, are Moslems: Ellison, MN, and Carson, IN. I think this a matter of some importance, especially for persons who are just a little too comfortable in not knowing it.

Joanthan Justice of IN 8:56PM December 21, 2008

I wonder how many communities are like our small (25,000) one in s.w. Georgia, where a persons religious affiliation is very important in many facets of life. I think it's unfortunate that people like me, and there are many, who are well educated, motivated, and hard working, yet non-religious, can see that our chances of being elected so much as dog catcher are very slight. I think that's why so many people, who we know privately hate it, go to church and say, do, and act the way "believers" expect them to so they'll have any chance of success socially, in business, or in politics. I think this goes on at all levels, all the way to congress and the presidency. It's pretty sad, really.

Joseph of GA 8:00PM December 21, 2008

With regard to your claim that the "nonaffiliates" hold zero seats in Congress, may I point you in the direction of California Democratic Representative Pete Stark, who has the singular distinction of being the first -- and so far only -- self-declared atheist to hold a similar office.

farnsworth68 of WA 6:28PM December 21, 2008

It's fascinating that religious wise we compare with Iran, Iraq, Egypt, and all the other religious nuts.
We have little or no comparison to intelligent countries such as Spain, France, Britian, Scotland, Norway, and all the rest of the intelligent Eurppean countries.
The hand writing is on the wall. Hopefully, when our Middle Eastern war is over we can find another one. Our "friends" have been at war with each other for centuries. Maybe we can break their record. Allahu akbar.
Stupid is as stupid does.

Bob of NJ 5:30PM December 21, 2008

I would be interested in knowing how many members of Congress are adulterers and illicit fornicators. Exactly how many. The question should be: Have you ever had intimate relations with a person to whom you were not married? How many? With any person who was married to someone else? How many?
This is the measure of integrity that counts. I couldn't care less about memberships or denominational armbands.

of 5:27PM December 20, 2008

I for one chose the term "nonaffiliated" on the census since the census form did not offer the term "nondenominational". Many fundemental Christians believe that "membership" is exclusive to the scriptural "body of Christ" or "bride of Christ" and not to any worldly based organizations contrived in the minds of men for record keeping, collecting money and leveraging power.

Robert of NC 4:21PM December 20, 2008

Dan,
In your analysis, you refer to "Southern Baptists" but the Pew Forum Report refers to "Baptists"
There are well over 30 million Baptists in the United States. Actually, based on the Pew Forum's number, Baptists are 17.2% of the adult population. 17.2% of 300 million would be 51.6 million. However, the Southern Baptist Convention only claims 16 million members.
There are a number of Baptists in Congress who belong to churches that do not affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. For example, House Majority Leader is a Baptist who affiliates with the liberal non-evangelical Alliance of Baptists. John Lewis is a Baptist but definitely not a Southern Baptist. Jesse Jackson Jr. is also a Baptist. Both Lewis and Jackson Jr. belong to churches that affiliate with African-American Baptist denominations. There are quite a few more non-SBC Baptists in Congress, generally African-American Baptists or American Baptists.

big daddy weave of TX 2:53PM December 20, 2008

Those who accuse religious people of bigotry towards unbelievers may be right in some cases, but, to make a general statement to that effect is bigotry itself. In my opinion it's a case of not really understanding the minds of those who are devoutly religious...especially evangelicals. For most unaffiliated or indifferent or uninterested...whatever term you might want to use, (not to say they are all the same) a person's faith simply isn't important, one way or the other. Since they don't believe, it really doesn't matter what someone else believes or doesn't believe...it's a non issue. But for the evangelical or deeply religious, it is a very important factor of a person's life. That's not bigotry. What someone believes does matter. It shapes worldview, which influences decisions and determines opinions on issues in all areas of life.

cagodl of TN 7:47AM December 20, 2008