If you’ve heard of Pennsylvania State Rep. Brian Sims (below), it’s likely because he’s the first openly gay legislator in the state. But he’s also one of the few non-religious politicians in the country and Chris Stedman spoke to him about his beliefs:
My parents raised us generically Irish Catholic — Christmas and Easter Catholics. When I was around sixteen, I stopped going to church with my family. I don’t remember what prompted it, but one Christmas Eve my parents asked me if I wanted to go. I said I didn’t, and they didn’t put up much of a fight. Twenty years later, they still don’t put up much of a fight. I’m the only elected official in Pennsylvania that didn’t have to set foot in a house of worship to get elected.
… it’s true — [a religious label is] just not something I give much time and attention to. I have very deeply religious friends, and I find aspects of their different faiths interesting. I just don’t care about the dogma at all. For the last ten years, if someone has asked, I’ve said my faith is in humanity.
It doesn’t bother me one bit that he doesn’t embrace an atheist or Humanist label. I appreciate that he’s willing to admit he’s not religious — that goes a long way and it’s something most politicians would never do.
Check out the full interview here.
(Image via Wikipedia)