Invisible No Longer: Politically Empowering the Humanist and Atheist Community
Ron Millar
June 9, 2024
Ron Millar is policy coordinator with the Center for Freethought Equality, associated with the American Humanist Association. His talk was titled “Invisible No Longer — Politically Empowering the Humanist and Atheist Community.”
Millar started by noting that it was long “practically invisible” in electoral politics. The first member of Congress to identify as nonbelieving was California’s Pete Stark in 2007. A second in 2017 was Jared Huffman, identifying as humanist and agnostic. Today the Congressional “Freethought Caucus” numbers 22 (all Democrats — what a shocker). Millar noted that over 70 state legislators nationwide identify similarly (out of over 7,000).
What we’re up against he defined as White Christian nationalism — the “America was founded as a Christian nation” nonsense (historically speaking). Xenophobic, homophobic, bigoted, anti-science, anti-(small “d”)democratic, misogynistic, racist, paternalistic [have we touched enough bases there? — FSR].
Millar characterized people in that camp as lacking in human empathy, noting all their demonization of, for example, gay and trans people. And while abortion has long been a ferocious issue on that side, their stance has been rejected wherever people get to actually vote on it — even in a Kansas referendum.
Yet when it comes to political choices, more visceral proclivities tend to motivate voting. Racism Millar singled out as a particularly powerful factor under the surface. Provoked by a Black presidency; the “Tea Party” reflecting sublimated racial resentment. And the battle, he said, is a long-term process that won’t be resolved soon. Christian nationalists will keep fighting. Millar also said that what was once called “Protestant America” has been broadened to embrace Catholics and, even, Jews, with “Judaeo-Christian” becoming the label. And indeed they’re even trying to fold in America’s Muslims [go figure!], with another relabeling — “Abrahamic.” Further, what’s happening is that mainstream religion collectively is declining, leaving what remains with a higher proportion of extremism.
The battle, Millar said, is a long-term process that won’t be resolved soon. Christian nationalists will keep fighting — and it’s a frightening future if they prevail. Thus he urged political engagement, voting being just the “baseline.” Humanists should invest time and money, and build visibility. To help make good voting choices, he referenced the League of Women Voters’ “VoteSmart” and “Vote 411” websites.