Congressman says he’s ‘nontheistic’

Rep. Fortney “Pete” Stark, D-Calif., is the first openly “nontheistic” member of Congress, according to the Secular Coalition for America.

The coalition said Stark, who has represented San Francisco’s East Bay since 1973, acknowledged his atheism in response to a questionnaire sent to public officials in January.

In a statement, Stark said he is a “Unitarian who does not believe in a supreme being.”

“I look forward to working with the Secular Coalition to stop the promotion of narrow religious beliefs in science, marriage contracts, the military and the provision of social service,” he said.