James Woods, who is the first openly atheist candidate to run for Congress, seems to have absolutely no qualms about his honesty. He believes the United States of America was founded without any official religion at its core, yet most of its laws and legislation are comprised of highly religious language and that someone needs to straighten things out so they are what they were intended to be. While speaking with the media, Woods pointed out that every one of America’s presidents has been or at least identified as Christian which goes on to explain why there are absolutely no confirmed atheists in the Congress.
However, Woods hopes to witness a change for the first time, which is why he has decided to run as a Democrat in Arizona, a region typically controlled by Republicans, and he has decided to do so as an open atheist. According to Woods, he is not compromising with political realities because he is under no illusion about his chances. Instead of running as a conservative Democrat or a neutral centrist only to appeal to the red district’s middle ground, Woods has chosen to campaign for his post as an open atheist and unapologetic progressive.
“One of the goals of the campaign is presenting the other side of the argument, and trying to discuss that there are other options,” said Woods. “I am representing my true self.”
When one is told that approximately 20 percent of Americans define themselves as people without any religious faith, it is but natural for him or her to wonder why there has not yet been a single candidate till now that represents this section in the Congress. Earlier this year, the American Humanist Association said at least 24 members in the Congress are secretly atheists. The reason for the secrecy is that more people frown upon atheists than they do homosexuals. As odd as that may seem, former Republican Barney Frank came out about his sexuality as long ago as in 1987 while still in office, but waited until 2013 to declare his lack of faith in God. By this time of course, Frank had left office.
Now, 35-year-old James Woods, on the other hand, has been very open about him being a nonbeliever and over the years emerged as a figurehead for atheists and humanists who would like to witness a turnaround on certain scientific and religious policies in the United States. Apart from nonbelievers, Woods, who is also blind, aspires to represent the physically challenged, politically marginalized as well as those who belong to lower-income households and he is convinced that his atheism will not keep him from achieving that goal.
Woods’ campaign, which constitutes three paid employees and several volunteers and interns, may seem like an underdog in comparison to those of others but it has received a fair amount of publicity across social media. Even though his news releases frequently refer to him as “the blind Congressional candidate,” Woods said he does not mind that, since it is very accurate description.
Photo Credits: Tea Party Cheer
