Who’s Underrepresented in Congress? Baptists, Pentecostals and “No Religion”

Who’s Underrepresented in Congress? Baptists, Pentecostals and “No Religion”

There are no atheists in foxholes, or in the chambers of the 112th Congress.

A survey of those serving in the U.S. House and Senate reveals not a single member considers themselves an atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular.” This is in stark contrast to the general population of the country, of which 16% falls into the non-religious category.

There also are some religious denominations that are underrepresented in the new Congress. Baptists make up 17.2% of the nation, but only 12.7% of politicians on Capitol Hill. Pentecostals account for 4.4% of Americans, but are not represented at all.

Those overrepresented include Episcopalians (8% Congress; 2% nation), Presbyterians (8% vs. 3%) and Jews (7.3% Congress; 1.7% nation).

The majority of representatives and senators are Protestant (57%), which is somewhat higher than the U.S. rate of 51%. The second largest group is Catholics, who make up 23.9% of American adults, but 29.2% of Congress.

http://www.allgov.com/Controversies/ViewNews/Whos_Underrepresented_in_Congress__Baptists_Pentecostals_and_No_Religion_110118

They are the real represented.

Then we'd know at a glance who owns them.

Apparently he's a member of the Unitarian church (though he acknowledges holding atheistic views).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Stark

He sent me a letter when I donated money
when it first came out that he wasn't afraid
to be counted as "no religion".

It wasn't very much money, but I was proud of
his bravery.

I love him.

:hug:

And hey, how about under representation of Pagan religions? 12.7% of politicians is better than 0!

I don't think an openly agnostic or athiestic person could be elected to congress in the US these days...another reason I feel uncomfortable here lately.

mark

they will change to a different belief other than a Jewish/Christian/Muslim oriented belief.

Jews are highly educated.
Among Protestants, Episcopalians and Presbyterians are the most educated, or near the top.

That's better than having lots of bible-thumpers who don't believe in evolution.

There tend to be more Democrats that are lawyers, so that would skew the education.