How can a congressperson be openly nontheistic, if they have to hold a contest to find out?

[More Than A Feeling]

Just askin'. Anywhoo...

Contest Update: God and Public Service
Nontheistic member of Congress identified

For Immediate Release
Contact: Lori Lipman Brown, [phone]
March 5, 2006

On Monday, March 12, the Secular Coalition for America will make history by announcing the name of the first openly nontheistic member of Congress.

Elected officials who do not hold a god-belief are a rarity and only a few nontheist politicians have been open about their beliefs. Perhaps the best-known was Robert G. Ingersoll, called the Great Agnostic. He was a famous orator and gave the nomination speech at the 1884 Republican Presidential Convention for James G. Blaine. Influential Illinois Republicans wanted Ingersoll to run for Governor, but on the condition that he conceal his agnosticism. Ingersoll refused, and he never held elected office.

http://www.secular.org/news/contest_preview_070305.html

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Robert J. Ingersoll lived in Illinois

and I even went to a museum that housed some of his books, etc. With the supercharged atmosphere towards faith and belief nowadays, I'd say the best this group will come up with is someone who strongly stands for separation of church and state and who doesn't cram their faith down someone else's throat.

[More Than A Feeling]

2. I'll be disappointed if that's the case.

We shall see.

[stillcool]

3. me too. I am sick of all these 'non-issues'...

providing cover for the stench that is government. God forbid, a politician should need to espouse other principles like integrity, intellect, or grace.

[Clark2008]

4. Maybe their constituents know, but, since they're not pandering

to some religious group, the media never reports on them.

:shrug:

[Vinca]

5. Why can't what we do or don't believe be kept to ourselves??? nt