I have always been fascinated by Christianity in America. We were raised Catholic, the ideas of religion seem like a reasonable connection to American society and its politics. But somewhere that connection got lost in fundamentalism and a new sort of determinism. And yet even given that fact, atheists do not exist, at least openly, in politics or even society. That strikes me as strange given our religion has turned to one of money worship.
'Its harder in America to come out as an atheist politician than a gay one. Why?' By Jennifer Michael Hecht
"The audience loved it. Maher doubled over in laughter and delight. But while few seemed to care about Franks pot-smoking admission, atheists across the countrymyself includedwere disappointed that he hadnt acknowledged his lack of religious belief sooner, when it could have made a real difference. We were left wondering why a man who served 16 terms in Congress and who bravely came out as gay all the way back in 1987 felt the need to hide his atheism until he was out of office. Was it really harder to come out as an atheist politician in 2013 than as a gay one 25 years ago?
Read more: The Last Taboo - Jennifer Michael Hecht - POLITICO Magazine
'Its harder in America to come out as an atheist politician than a gay one. Why?' By Jennifer Michael Hecht
"The audience loved it. Maher doubled over in laughter and delight. But while few seemed to care about Franks pot-smoking admission, atheists across the countrymyself includedwere disappointed that he hadnt acknowledged his lack of religious belief sooner, when it could have made a real difference. We were left wondering why a man who served 16 terms in Congress and who bravely came out as gay all the way back in 1987 felt the need to hide his atheism until he was out of office. Was it really harder to come out as an atheist politician in 2013 than as a gay one 25 years ago?
Read more: The Last Taboo - Jennifer Michael Hecht - POLITICO Magazine