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Friends,
The secular movement recently lost a legend.
Former Secular Coalition board member Rep. Fortney H. “Pete” Stark Jr., a 20-term congressman from California, passed away recently at his home on the West River in Maryland.
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As many of you know, Pete was the first Member of Congress to openly identify as an atheist—a risk he took despite the criticism and scrutiny he knew would follow.
He never regretted it.
“Pete’s unabashed identification as an ‘atheist’ was a huge step in destigmatizing a term with which millions of Americans identify, and virtually all Americans know,” said Woody Kaplan, our Advisory Board Chair and longtime colleague of Pete’s. “It was typical of his courage as a member of Congress; standing forthrightly for that which he believed, rather than cowering to political convention. America and his family has lost a great man.”
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In their obituary memorializing Pete, the Washington Post wrote, “Mr. Stark had an independent streak, a caustic tongue and a willingness to ruffle feathers. He challenged colleagues to fistfights on the House floor and in 2007 became the first member of Congress to declare that he was an atheist.”
When I first read these sentences, I felt a familiar sting. Coupling atheism with negative traits like “caustic tongue,” anger, and violence has a clear implication: that nonbelievers have no moral code or compass for determining right from wrong.
The irony is, that malevolent trope and others like it have been losing traction for decades thanks in large part to Congressman Stark and leaders like him. In fact, his independent streak and strong, unwavering moral code represented the best of our community. Pete was ardently pro-peace, cared deeply about the poor, and fought for expanded health care access decades before it was popular.
I’m honored to share a few additional reflections on his life and work:
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“Humanists everywhere are saddened by the loss of former Representative Stark. He fought for progress and was a xxxxxx against the regressive policies of religious right that are inundating us today. By coming out as a nontheist he directly raised the profile of humanists and challenged blatantly false notions that only those who believe in god have a claim to morality and compassion.”
- Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association,
a member organization of the Secular Coalition for America
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“Many people called Pete Stark courageous for being willing to answer a survey from the Secular Coalition for America stating that he didn't believe in a supreme being. He didn't think it was courageous at all. He was always willing to answer any question when asked. And, the outpouring of support he received for answering this question was a sheer delight. Thousands of people reached out to say thank you from all over the world. He would also note that those who disagreed with him did so in the kindest way. They worried for him and offered to pray for him, but they really didn't express anger or outrage. Because of that, he would also say it was the nicest controversy he was ever involved in—and he had his share of those. As his longtime chief of staff in Congress, his willingness to answer this survey and be an example to other elected officials exemplifies why it was such an honor to work for him. He told it like it was, he never held back, and he produced amazing results because of that.”
- Debbie Curtis, longtime Chief of Staff for Congressman Stark
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I know I speak for our current and former SCA members, board members, staff, and supporters in saying how proud we are to have played a role in Pete's exceptional life.
We honor Pete for the significant impact he had on our community and appreciate his work to protect the separation of church and state enshrined in America's Constitution.
Sincerely,
Debbie Allen
Executive Director
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