My take: 'Atheist' isn’t a dirty word, congresswoman

[rug]

January 8th, 2013
07:00 AM ET
By Chris Stedman, Special to CNN

(CNN)—This year, Congress welcomed the first Buddhist senator and first Hindu elected to either chamber of Congress, and the Pew Forum noted that this “gradual increase in religious diversity … mirrors trends in the country as a whole.”

But Pew also noted one glaring deficiency: Religious “nones” were largely left outside the halls of Congress, despite one in five Americans now saying they don’t affiliate with a religion.

There is, however, one newly elected “none” — but she seems to think "atheist" is a dirty word.

Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, was sworn in a few days ago without a Bible, and she is the first member of Congress to openly describe her religious affiliation as “none.” Although 10 other members don’t specify a religious affiliation — up from six members in the previous Congress — Sinema is the only to officially declare “none.”

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/08/my-take-atheist-isnt-a-dirty-word-congresswoman/

[Tempest]

1. Maybe not, but it's not always an accurate description for everyone.

And if that's the way she feels, more power to her.

[BainsBane]

2. proclaiming it is not a good way to get reelected

Besides, her religious views or lack thereof are her business and hers alone. There is no reason she should have to be public about them.

[dlwickham]

3. I guess everyone needs something to get pissed off about

and Mr. Stedman found his

if Rep. Sinema wants to list her affiliation as none that is her business and her business alone

[DreamGypsy]

4. Sorry, Mr. Stedman, your logic is poor...

From the article:

But there’s a slight issue: Sinema doesn’t actually appears to be a nonbeliever. In response to news stories identifying her as an atheist, her campaign released this statement shortly after her victory: “(Rep. Sinema) believes the terms non-theist, atheist or non-believer are not befitting of her life’s work or personal character.”

As a nontheist, atheist and nonbeliever (take your pick), I find this statement deeply problematic.

It is perfectly fine, of course, if Sinema isn’t a nontheist, and it is understandable that she would want to clarify misinformation about her personal beliefs. But to say that these terms are “not befitting of her life’s work or personal character” is offensive because it implies there is something unbefitting about the lives and characters of atheists or nonbelievers.

Wrong. I can assert with complete honesty that the none terms football tackle, skydiver, and chimney sweep are befitting of my life’s work or personal character. In doing so, I cast no aspersions on any person who chooses to describe their life or character with one or more of those terms.

Just because someone prefers not to be described as an 'atheist' does not 'put down those of us who do not believe in God'.

Lighten up, Chucko.

[customerserviceguy]

5. I read Mr. Stedman's piece

and I agree with him completely.

[2ndAmForComputers]

6. Joe McCarthy didn't like when people exercised their right not to answer loaded questions, either.

[rug]

7. Neither did Atila the Hun. So what?