As you read this article, states are counting votes for the recent mid-term elections. Across the United States, citizens are exercising their right to vote, choosing candidates they consider trustworthy, intelligent and representative of their country.
While we do not know the full results of the 2022 congressional elections, the 2020 election cycle has shown significant progress in diversity and representation.
Kamala Harris is the first biracial, South Asian black woman to hold the office of vice president. Pete Buttigieg was the first gay candidate to debate on the presidential debate stage. Sarah McBride was the first transgender senator.
Great progress has been made, and these labels are vital to politics. But while Americans continue to diversify their political systems, one group seems to be left out of the conversation – those of no faith.
22.8% of Americans do not agree with religion. Except 3.6% of congressional legislators which is likewise non-religious.
This lack of representation for non-believers is deeply embedded in American society. According to the American Psychological Association, there are atheists marginalized in their work spaces and they are more likely to be seen as criminals. Because of their history as a minority, non-believers have struggled to carve out space for themselves, especially in political climates.
For example, when I was watching the inauguration of Barack Obama as a young girl, I remember asking my father what would happen if a president did not believe in God since they swear on the Bible. He could answer for other religions – using their sacred texts – but he could not answer for atheists and agnostics.
Like every little kid with big dreams, I thought I could be president one day. This revelation made me doubt that; I didn’t know if my country accepted who I was.
Somehow, this was not raised as an issue. There has not been a president who did not self-label as religious since Abraham Lincoln, who held office more than four decades and 77 years ago. Despite having grown up with Baptist parents and surrounded himself with Christian counselors, Lincoln remained adamant that he was not a Christian.
On some level, I can relate to Lincoln: I’m agnostic, and although I was raised by my now non-religious parents, my grandparents are Christians. Through them, I read Bible verses from time to time and went to church, but there is a large part of America whose grandparents do not know God.
Its introduction comes from repeating the Pledge of Allegiance in primary school every morning. In a classroom full of kindergartners, they were saying “one nation under God” before they could even spell America.
For a country founded on the idea that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” – that’s it at the start the line At the start Amendment – religion, and especially Christianity, seems to be central to his philosophy.
According to a 2019 Gallup poll96% of people would vote for a black candidate, 95% would vote for a Hispanic candidate, 94% would vote for a woman, and 76% would vote for a gay or lesbian candidate.
Only 60% of the people would vote for an atheist.
Religious bias is so embedded in American culture and politics that seven states still have clauses in their Constitutions that prohibit non-believers from being elected to government offices. Although these prohibitions have been deemed unconstitutional since 1961, distinctions still exist from the clauses, including one case in 1992 and one case in 2009.
However, those who are not religiously affiliated tend to be the most accepting. According to Pew Research, atheists tend to support the legalization of abortion, government aid for the poor, LGBTQ+ rights, and climate change regulations more consistently than believers.
Our society is becoming more dangerous for its citizens every day. Women are losing control over their bodies, hate crimes are becoming more commonand our planet is in danger because climate change gets worse. Non-believers deserve a voice, especially if that voice will stand up to injustice in our society.
America is proud of its diversity and freedoms, but there is no outrage when it comes to religious oppression. Conversations about other minorities do not usually include religious ones. This could be because religion, unlike race and gender, is easily hidden and makes sense. When members of Congress decide to reveal their religious animus, their intentions are judged harshly.
“I’m not hostile to religion, and I’m not judging other people’s religious views,” said Jared Huffmana humanitarian conference was announced, when he had to accept to clarify religion.
Anti-American criticism is common even when non-believers are mentioned in death, as when CNS News reporter Terrence Jeffery criticized statement in Barack Obama’s inaugural address: “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and non-believers.”
“In America, we have no established religion, and the First Amendment guarantees the free exercise of it, but we are and always have been a God-fearing nation,” Jeffrey said.
The 22.8% of non-religious Americans, myself included, would probably agree.
American voters need to recognize that non-believers are a significant part of their country. We deserve the right to representation in government.
Instead of emphasizing a nation under God, we focus on “liberty and justice for all.”
