Secularism is making headway in the U.S., according to Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), while data from Pew Research Center paint a mixed picture.
Huffman, a humanist, became the second member of Congress in modern times to publicly identify himself as a “nonbeliever.” In Huffman’s book, “No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism,” published Aug. 18, Huffman calls “Christian nationalism” the most dangerous political movement in the U.S. and claims that it is actively trying to “destroy democracy.” He also accuses religious nationalists of being a “scorched earth insurgency.” His book cites laws mandating the Ten Commandment displays in public schools, as well as the Trump administration and government officials’ participation and initiation of Christian prayer services within federal agencies.
‘Other affiliation’ growing
The Freethought Caucus, a member organization in the U.S. House founded by Huffman in 2018, promotes a strict view of separation of church and state under the perspective that government and public policy should be “based on facts, science, and reason.” The group now has 37 members, which is more than the Congressional Prayer Caucus. The Prayer Caucus’ 34 members representing both the House and Senate gather to pray and advocate for protecting public expressions of faith and religious freedoms.
In the past decade, elected lawmakers on Capitol Hill who said they were not affiliated with a religion or said they had an unspecific “other affiliation” has increased from 16 to 40.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Hannah Davis and originally published by Decision Magazine.
