Rep. Jared Huffman: Coming Out as Openly Non-Religious Has "Been a Net Positive"

[NeoGreen]

https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2020/08/11/rep-jared-huffman-coming-out-as-openly-non-religious-has-been-a-net-positive/

Rep. Jared Huffman: Coming Out as Openly Non-Religious Has “Been a Net Positive”
By Hemant Mehta, August 11, 2020

We always share stories on this site about religious politicians acting badly, so here’s a palate cleanser for you. Over the weekend, the American Humanist Association gave its annual “Humanist of the Year” award to Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), the only openly non-theistic member of Congress.

During a 20-minute conversation between AHA Executive Director Roy Speckhardt and Huffman, the congressman was asked about that decision to “come out” — and he explained that many of his most trusted advisers urged him not to do it.

Being openly non-religious seemed like it had only political downsides. But Huffman announced his atheism anyway — and here’s the kicker — it didn’t hurt him at all.