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1richardbsmith
Trump has come out apparently questioning Clinton's Christian faith.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-attacks-shine-spotlight-on-hillary-...
Several things came to mind with that issue.
First, how far are from an Atheist President, or a non Christian President. At least a campaign in which that question is not raised.
Second, what of Trump's Christianity.
I think this is a bad issue for Trump. He likely compares unfavorably on the question of professed faith.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-attacks-shine-spotlight-on-hillary-...
Several things came to mind with that issue.
First, how far are from an Atheist President, or a non Christian President. At least a campaign in which that question is not raised.
Second, what of Trump's Christianity.
I think this is a bad issue for Trump. He likely compares unfavorably on the question of professed faith.
2Jesse_wiedinmyer
1)
Very.
2)
I'm not sure it matters. The percentage that cares if his faith is fake is not non-negligible
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/23/i-helped-start-the-m...
But I believe those who just want to hear the right sounds might offset it.
Very.
2)
I'm not sure it matters. The percentage that cares if his faith is fake is not non-negligible
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/23/i-helped-start-the-m...
But I believe those who just want to hear the right sounds might offset it.
4lriley
Lots of politicians list themselves as jewish or this or that christian religion because it helps to either get votes or not to lose votes. If you're a conservative politician you have to be one or the other and being christian is the best or you're a dead duck. Even practically all democrats list some religious affiliation. The last time I looked was maybe a couple years ago. Between the US Senate/congress--there was one who claimed to be atheist then (I don't remember who he/she was--I'm pretty sure they were a democrat) and one Muslim (that's Keith Ellison--a congressman from Minnesota). Everyone else claimed christianity or judaism. So........we know that quite a lot of them could give a fuck less and don't believe in any of it but they're still compelled to say they do.
Looking at Trump, Clinton, Sanders. Sanders has been pretty blunt over the years about being a non-practicing jew---which is fair enough. I'm not sure where Clinton's at all but I suspect she would have some fall back christian belief system for in a pinch. I don't think she has much of or any religious belief. I certainly don't think that Trump does either whatever bullshit he's trying to peddle now.
We'll go back to Sanders for a minute. Not sure that many people here realize that when Bernie went to see the Pope in Rome a couple months back it wasn't just to shake hands and get a photo-op or a selfie. Though short of publicly endorsing him the Pope allowed Sanders the opportunity to give a speech on economic justice to a roomful of the religious---which he did. It was about half as long as his usual stump speech. That would not have happened if the German Pope had still been the leader of the catholic church. What Sanders actually argued for were positions in common with the liberation theology movement--a movement that Popes previous to this one have done their level best through excommunication and claims of heresy and whatnot to destroy and disembowel. So it was kind of eye opening to see that as well as (I think it was) Evo Morales (the leftist leader of Bolivia) greeting Sanders moments before his speech. Sanders linking the best parts of religious philosophy with human rights and economic justice. Personally I like this Pope. He's not the usual papal shitbird. It's a bit late in the day for me to start believing again but there may be some hope for this religious institution if it actually is going to get to ground level with workers, working poor and the impoverished.
Looking at Trump, Clinton, Sanders. Sanders has been pretty blunt over the years about being a non-practicing jew---which is fair enough. I'm not sure where Clinton's at all but I suspect she would have some fall back christian belief system for in a pinch. I don't think she has much of or any religious belief. I certainly don't think that Trump does either whatever bullshit he's trying to peddle now.
We'll go back to Sanders for a minute. Not sure that many people here realize that when Bernie went to see the Pope in Rome a couple months back it wasn't just to shake hands and get a photo-op or a selfie. Though short of publicly endorsing him the Pope allowed Sanders the opportunity to give a speech on economic justice to a roomful of the religious---which he did. It was about half as long as his usual stump speech. That would not have happened if the German Pope had still been the leader of the catholic church. What Sanders actually argued for were positions in common with the liberation theology movement--a movement that Popes previous to this one have done their level best through excommunication and claims of heresy and whatnot to destroy and disembowel. So it was kind of eye opening to see that as well as (I think it was) Evo Morales (the leftist leader of Bolivia) greeting Sanders moments before his speech. Sanders linking the best parts of religious philosophy with human rights and economic justice. Personally I like this Pope. He's not the usual papal shitbird. It's a bit late in the day for me to start believing again but there may be some hope for this religious institution if it actually is going to get to ground level with workers, working poor and the impoverished.
5Jesse_wiedinmyer
>4 lriley:
http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2007/09/hillarys-prayer-hillary-clintons-relig...
Here's one take on Hillary's faith. Whether that's simply playing the game for access or not...
http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2007/09/hillarys-prayer-hillary-clintons-relig...
Here's one take on Hillary's faith. Whether that's simply playing the game for access or not...
6barney67
I doubt many of our presidents have been serious Christians, despite what they say.
W. was. And Lincoln.
Now I'm drawing a blank.
W. was. And Lincoln.
Now I'm drawing a blank.
7barney67
I recall reading Mrs. C. grew up a southern Methodist. There's nothing in her behavior to indicate even a shred of ethics. I don't know if those two sentences go together.
An election between Mr. and Mrs. Satan.
An election between Mr. and Mrs. Satan.
9JGL53
> 6
There is good evidence that both Washington and Lincoln were, at best, deists. Like most politicians who have Presidential ambitions they would many times say or write what was in their self-interest.
As to ANY person's sincerity regarding expressed religious belief, President or not, that is always hard to know with any precision. As is said, only the person him/herself (and any existing god, of course) really knows if the person is honestly religious or just faking for social acceptance.
I myself suspect that people like HRC and trump are more so narcissists than believers/unbelievers in any supernatural reality. I suspect both HOPE they are immortal beings as it would hurt their narcissistic feelings to think they will come to nothing one day.
IOW, I think the religious mouthings of HRC and trump are trivial and tell us nothing of importance about either of them. Ditto most politicians.
Hell, if I myself were a serious candidate for POTUS does anyone think I would ever admit publicly that I was an atheist? Uh, no I would not, if I were serious about winning.
There is good evidence that both Washington and Lincoln were, at best, deists. Like most politicians who have Presidential ambitions they would many times say or write what was in their self-interest.
As to ANY person's sincerity regarding expressed religious belief, President or not, that is always hard to know with any precision. As is said, only the person him/herself (and any existing god, of course) really knows if the person is honestly religious or just faking for social acceptance.
I myself suspect that people like HRC and trump are more so narcissists than believers/unbelievers in any supernatural reality. I suspect both HOPE they are immortal beings as it would hurt their narcissistic feelings to think they will come to nothing one day.
IOW, I think the religious mouthings of HRC and trump are trivial and tell us nothing of importance about either of them. Ditto most politicians.
Hell, if I myself were a serious candidate for POTUS does anyone think I would ever admit publicly that I was an atheist? Uh, no I would not, if I were serious about winning.
11barney67
W. became a Christian while going through AA. It happens to some people. It's not a Christian organization, but some people who go through it end up stronger in their faith.
12barney67
Lincoln wasn't a deist. I can't think of president whose prose style and speaking style were more influenced by the Bible.
Jefferson was a deist. Adams was not.
Jefferson wrote his own bible.
Jefferson was a deist. Adams was not.
Jefferson wrote his own bible.
13JGL53
> 12
"Lincoln wasn't a deist. I can't think of president whose prose style and speaking style were more influenced by the Bible."
The fact that his prose or speaking style were influenced by the bible does not itself prove he was christian. Early on he seems not to be a christian but after his son's death apparently so. In any case he was rather deistic in his youth. That was what I was thinking about. But in later years - you are probably right.
"Jefferson wrote his own bible."
Actually rather than writing his own bible Jefferson more so created a secular bible by cutting and pasting excerpts from the bible that he thought had moral merit while leaving out the supernatural stuff all of which he considered myth.
BTW, it was reported that Washington, technically an Anglican, thought the eucharist was a barbaric ritual and refused to participate. Sounds like he might has been rather deistical too.
Ethan Allen was a deist - I find that interesting. Also Ben Franklin was radically ecumenical and thus probably deistic.
"Lincoln wasn't a deist. I can't think of president whose prose style and speaking style were more influenced by the Bible."
The fact that his prose or speaking style were influenced by the bible does not itself prove he was christian. Early on he seems not to be a christian but after his son's death apparently so. In any case he was rather deistic in his youth. That was what I was thinking about. But in later years - you are probably right.
"Jefferson wrote his own bible."
Actually rather than writing his own bible Jefferson more so created a secular bible by cutting and pasting excerpts from the bible that he thought had moral merit while leaving out the supernatural stuff all of which he considered myth.
BTW, it was reported that Washington, technically an Anglican, thought the eucharist was a barbaric ritual and refused to participate. Sounds like he might has been rather deistical too.
Ethan Allen was a deist - I find that interesting. Also Ben Franklin was radically ecumenical and thus probably deistic.
14southernbooklady
>13 JGL53: Ethan Allen was a deist - I find that interesting.
A good exploration of "Deism" in colonial and Revolutionary War America can be found in Matthew Stewart's Nature's God. He makes the case that "Deist" was code for "Atheist" at the time (at least in the minds of the local religious leaders), and finds the populist rebellion of Allen and Thomas Young to be fueled by a combination of anti-Christian, anti-British, and anti-government tendencies. It's sort of a stew because the line between religion, local civic government, and British rule were not always clearly defined.
A good exploration of "Deism" in colonial and Revolutionary War America can be found in Matthew Stewart's Nature's God. He makes the case that "Deist" was code for "Atheist" at the time (at least in the minds of the local religious leaders), and finds the populist rebellion of Allen and Thomas Young to be fueled by a combination of anti-Christian, anti-British, and anti-government tendencies. It's sort of a stew because the line between religion, local civic government, and British rule were not always clearly defined.
15BruceCoulson
>12 barney67:
Lincoln was also a consummate politician, albeit a highly ethical one. Using the Bible (and the King James version certainly has excellent prose) would resonate with his audiences. I suspect that Lincoln had a deep, abiding faith in a Higher Power, but I tend to doubt that he had strong religious ties to any church.
Lincoln was also a consummate politician, albeit a highly ethical one. Using the Bible (and the King James version certainly has excellent prose) would resonate with his audiences. I suspect that Lincoln had a deep, abiding faith in a Higher Power, but I tend to doubt that he had strong religious ties to any church.
16barney67
Meh. That's not what I've read. Don't assume that all politicians are 100 percent evil, esp. Lincoln. Manipulating the Bible for political purposes would have been inconsistent with Lincoln's character.
And others'.
And others'.
17JGL53
> 16
Are you really that naïve or just pretending to be so?
E.g. - Research the writing of the Gettysburg Address. Compare the FIRST draft to what Lincoln finally came up with after one of his advisors pointed out there was no reference to the deity. Draw the reasonable conclusion, assuming you have sufficient intelligence. Or not. I really don't care what self-created childlike reality tunnel you exist in - just so long as I don't have to join you there.
Are you really that naïve or just pretending to be so?
E.g. - Research the writing of the Gettysburg Address. Compare the FIRST draft to what Lincoln finally came up with after one of his advisors pointed out there was no reference to the deity. Draw the reasonable conclusion, assuming you have sufficient intelligence. Or not. I really don't care what self-created childlike reality tunnel you exist in - just so long as I don't have to join you there.
18margd
>6 barney67: No one can doubt Jimmy Carter's faith. Amazing the activities it informs--peace, Habitat for Humanity, Guinea-worm eradication.
Studies suggest that people trust fellow worshipers more--I assume because shared values are assumed. (A synagogue study, for one.) Makes sense that professing one faith or another may help a politician, but I think a history of good works is also helpful.
Studies suggest that people trust fellow worshipers more--I assume because shared values are assumed. (A synagogue study, for one.) Makes sense that professing one faith or another may help a politician, but I think a history of good works is also helpful.
19barney67
It isn't Carter's faith that was the problem. It was his inexperience, incompetence, and poor judgment.
20RickHarsch
>19 barney67: Yes it was a very bad idea for a US president to tell the most avaricious consumers and elites in the world to be a bit austere sometimes.
21quicksiva
This list is borrowed from one of “Some Unitarians of Note”. Most of these people might be called “deists”. All made a major impact in the public arena:
A
• Abigail Adams (1744–1818) women's rights advocate and first Second Lady and the second First Lady of the United States
• John Adams (1735–1826) Second President of the United States.
• John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) Sixth President of the United States.
• Ethan Allen (1738–1789) Author of Reason the Only Oracle of Man, and the chief source of Hosea Ballou's universalist ideas.
• Arthur J. Altmeyer (1891–1972) Father of Social Security.
• Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) Unitarian, also a Quaker
B
•
• Emily Greene Balch (1867–1961) Nobel Peace Laureate
• Roger Nash Baldwin (1884–1981), founder of ACLU
• Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810–1891) American showman and Circus Owner
• Clara Barton (1821–1912) organizer of American Red Cross, Universalist
• Tim Berners-Lee (1955-) inventor of the World Wide Web.
• Chester Bliss Bowles (1901–1986) Connecticut Governor and diplomat.
• Olympia Brown (1835–1926) suffragist, Universalist minister
• Harold Hitz Burton (1888–1964) U.S. Supreme Court Justice 1945-1958
C
• John C. Calhoun (1782–1850)
• Neville Chamberlain (1869–1940)
• Brock Chisholm (1896–1971) Director, World Health Organization
• Andrew Inglis Clark (1848–1907) Tasmanian politician. Responsible for the adoption of the Hare-Clark system of proportional representation by the Parliament of Tasmania
• Joseph S. Clark (1901–1990) US Senator and mayor of Philadelphia
• William Cohen (b. 1940) U.S. Secretary of Defense (1997–2001), U.S. Senator from Maine (1979–1997)
• Kent Conrad (b. 1948) U.S. Senator from North Dakota (1992- )
• Morris Dees (b. 1936) Attorney, cofounder, chief legal counsel of Southern Poverty Law Center
• Karl W. Deutsch (1912–1992) International political scientist
• Emily Taft Douglas (1899–1994) US Representative, Illinois
• Paul Douglas (1892–1976) US Senator, also a Quaker
• Madelyn Dunham (1922-2008) Grandmother of U.S. President Barack Obama
• Stanley Armour Dunham (1918-1992) Grandfather of Barack Obama
• Stanley Ann Dunham (1942-1995) Mother of Barack Obama
E
• Samuel Atkins Eliot (1862–1950) First president of the Unitarians
• Thomas H. Eliot (1907–1991) Legislator and educator
• Joseph L. Fisher (1914–1992) Joseph Lyman (Joe) Fisher (1914 – 1992) U.S. Congressman
• Robert Fulghum (1937-) UU minister and writer
G
• Elizabeth Gaskell (1810–1865) British novelist and social reformer
• Frank Gannett (1876–1957) Newspaper publisher
• Eleanor Gordon (1852–1942) Minister and member of the Iowa Sisterhood.
• Mike Gravel (1930-) U.S. Senator; 2008 Democratic and Libertarian Presidential candidate
• Dana Greeley (1908–1986) The first president of the Unitarian Universalist Association
H
• Ellen L. Hamilton (1921–1996). Artist, author, advocate for homeless teens, and member of UUA Board of Trustees (1973–1977).
• Lotta Hitschmanova (1909–1990) founder, Unitarian Service Committee of Canada
• Julia Ward Howe (1819–1910) author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".
• Roman Hruska (1904–1999) conservative Republican Senator from Nebraska
J
• Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) Third President of the USA,Unitarian
• Joseph Johnson (publisher)
K
• Thomas Starr King (1824–1864) minister who during his career served both in Universalist and in Unitarian churches
• James R. Killian president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• W.M. Kiplinger (1891–1967) publisher of the Kiplinger Letters
L
• William L. Langer (1896–1977) historian of diplomacy
M
• Scotty McLennan, Dean for Religious Life at Stanford University, Minister of Stanford Memorial Church, and inspiration for the Reverend Scot Sloan character in the comic strip Doonesbury
• Walt Minnick (1942-) Politician and representative for Idaho's 1st congressional district, United States House of Representatives
• Christopher Moore founder of Chicago’s Children’s Choir
• Mary Carr Moore composer, teacher, Far Western activist for American Music
• Arthur E. Morgan human engineer and college president
N
• Maurine Neuberger (1907–2000) US Senator
O
• Origen (185-254) Ancient Christian scholar
• Mary White Ovington (1865–1951) NAACP founder
P
• Bob Packwood (b. 1932) U.S. Senator from Oregon (1969–1995)
• Linus Pauling (1901–1994) Nobel Laureate for Peace and for Chemistry
• William T. Pheiffer, American lawyer/politician
• Van Rensselaer Potter global bioethicist
R
• Desmond Ravenstone writer, educator and sexual freedom activist
• James Reeb’’ (1927–1965) civil-rights martyr
• Paul Revere (1735–1818)
• David Ricardo (1772–1823) British classical economist noted for creating the concept of comparative advantage
• Elliot Richardson (1920–1999) often listed as "Anglican" but was a member of a UU church near Washington DC for many years Lawyer and public servant
• Mark Ritchie(b. 1951) Minnesota Secretary of State (2007-)
• Benjamin Rush (1745–1813) Very active in the Universalist movement, although never technically joined a Universalist congregation
S
• Mary Safford (1851–1927) Unitarian Minister and leader of the Iowa Sisterhood.
• Leverett Saltonstall (1892–1979) U.S. Senator from Massachusetts3
• Ellery Schempp (1940-), Physicist who is also famous for being the primary student involved in the landmark 1963 United States Supreme Court case of Abington School District v. Schempp which declared that public school-sanctioned Bible readings were unconstitutional.
• Arthur Schlesinger (1917–2007) American historian
• William F. Schulz - former Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, former president of the Unitarian Universalist Association
• Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) late in life unitarian; honorary member of the Church of the Larger Fellowship (Unitarian Friend)
• Pete Seeger (b. 1919) Folk singer and song writer
• Rod Serling (1924–1975) Writer; Creator of The Twilight Zone television series.
• Michael Servetus (1511–1553) proto-unitarian
• Lemuel Shaw A Unitarian and Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Under his leadership, the court convicted Abner Kneeland, a former Universalist, of blasphemy.
• Faustus Socinus 1539–1604) an Italian theologian and founder of the school of Christian thought known as "Socinianism" and the main theologian of Polish Brethren
• Catherine Helen Spence - Australian suffragette and political reformer
• Pete Stark, D.-Calif. (1931—): U.S. Representative.
• Vilhjalmur Stefansson (1879–1962) Arctic explorer and champion of Native American rights
• Adlai Stevenson (1900–1965) Illinois governor, and Democratic Presidential candidate in 1952 and 1956
S
• William Howard Taft (1857–1930), President of the United States (1909–1913)
V
• Kurt Vonnegut (1922–2007), writer
W
• Daniel Webster (1782–1852)15
• Alfred T. White (1846–1921) Housing reformer and philanthropist
• William Carlos Williams (1883–1963) Physician and author
• Samuel Williston Dean of America's legal profession.
• Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) Among Wright's architectural works were Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois, and First Unitarian Society in Madison, Wisconsin
• Whitney M. Young (1921–1971) Social work administrator
Z
• John II Sigismund Zápolya (1540–1570) King of Hungary, then Prince of Transylvania.
http://www.librarything.com/topic/225896#
A
• Abigail Adams (1744–1818) women's rights advocate and first Second Lady and the second First Lady of the United States
• John Adams (1735–1826) Second President of the United States.
• John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) Sixth President of the United States.
• Ethan Allen (1738–1789) Author of Reason the Only Oracle of Man, and the chief source of Hosea Ballou's universalist ideas.
• Arthur J. Altmeyer (1891–1972) Father of Social Security.
• Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) Unitarian, also a Quaker
B
•
• Emily Greene Balch (1867–1961) Nobel Peace Laureate
• Roger Nash Baldwin (1884–1981), founder of ACLU
• Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810–1891) American showman and Circus Owner
• Clara Barton (1821–1912) organizer of American Red Cross, Universalist
• Tim Berners-Lee (1955-) inventor of the World Wide Web.
• Chester Bliss Bowles (1901–1986) Connecticut Governor and diplomat.
• Olympia Brown (1835–1926) suffragist, Universalist minister
• Harold Hitz Burton (1888–1964) U.S. Supreme Court Justice 1945-1958
C
• John C. Calhoun (1782–1850)
• Neville Chamberlain (1869–1940)
• Brock Chisholm (1896–1971) Director, World Health Organization
• Andrew Inglis Clark (1848–1907) Tasmanian politician. Responsible for the adoption of the Hare-Clark system of proportional representation by the Parliament of Tasmania
• Joseph S. Clark (1901–1990) US Senator and mayor of Philadelphia
• William Cohen (b. 1940) U.S. Secretary of Defense (1997–2001), U.S. Senator from Maine (1979–1997)
• Kent Conrad (b. 1948) U.S. Senator from North Dakota (1992- )
• Morris Dees (b. 1936) Attorney, cofounder, chief legal counsel of Southern Poverty Law Center
• Karl W. Deutsch (1912–1992) International political scientist
• Emily Taft Douglas (1899–1994) US Representative, Illinois
• Paul Douglas (1892–1976) US Senator, also a Quaker
• Madelyn Dunham (1922-2008) Grandmother of U.S. President Barack Obama
• Stanley Armour Dunham (1918-1992) Grandfather of Barack Obama
• Stanley Ann Dunham (1942-1995) Mother of Barack Obama
E
• Samuel Atkins Eliot (1862–1950) First president of the Unitarians
• Thomas H. Eliot (1907–1991) Legislator and educator
• Joseph L. Fisher (1914–1992) Joseph Lyman (Joe) Fisher (1914 – 1992) U.S. Congressman
• Robert Fulghum (1937-) UU minister and writer
G
• Elizabeth Gaskell (1810–1865) British novelist and social reformer
• Frank Gannett (1876–1957) Newspaper publisher
• Eleanor Gordon (1852–1942) Minister and member of the Iowa Sisterhood.
• Mike Gravel (1930-) U.S. Senator; 2008 Democratic and Libertarian Presidential candidate
• Dana Greeley (1908–1986) The first president of the Unitarian Universalist Association
H
• Ellen L. Hamilton (1921–1996). Artist, author, advocate for homeless teens, and member of UUA Board of Trustees (1973–1977).
• Lotta Hitschmanova (1909–1990) founder, Unitarian Service Committee of Canada
• Julia Ward Howe (1819–1910) author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".
• Roman Hruska (1904–1999) conservative Republican Senator from Nebraska
J
• Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) Third President of the USA,Unitarian
• Joseph Johnson (publisher)
K
• Thomas Starr King (1824–1864) minister who during his career served both in Universalist and in Unitarian churches
• James R. Killian president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• W.M. Kiplinger (1891–1967) publisher of the Kiplinger Letters
L
• William L. Langer (1896–1977) historian of diplomacy
M
• Scotty McLennan, Dean for Religious Life at Stanford University, Minister of Stanford Memorial Church, and inspiration for the Reverend Scot Sloan character in the comic strip Doonesbury
• Walt Minnick (1942-) Politician and representative for Idaho's 1st congressional district, United States House of Representatives
• Christopher Moore founder of Chicago’s Children’s Choir
• Mary Carr Moore composer, teacher, Far Western activist for American Music
• Arthur E. Morgan human engineer and college president
N
• Maurine Neuberger (1907–2000) US Senator
O
• Origen (185-254) Ancient Christian scholar
• Mary White Ovington (1865–1951) NAACP founder
P
• Bob Packwood (b. 1932) U.S. Senator from Oregon (1969–1995)
• Linus Pauling (1901–1994) Nobel Laureate for Peace and for Chemistry
• William T. Pheiffer, American lawyer/politician
• Van Rensselaer Potter global bioethicist
R
• Desmond Ravenstone writer, educator and sexual freedom activist
• James Reeb’’ (1927–1965) civil-rights martyr
• Paul Revere (1735–1818)
• David Ricardo (1772–1823) British classical economist noted for creating the concept of comparative advantage
• Elliot Richardson (1920–1999) often listed as "Anglican" but was a member of a UU church near Washington DC for many years Lawyer and public servant
• Mark Ritchie(b. 1951) Minnesota Secretary of State (2007-)
• Benjamin Rush (1745–1813) Very active in the Universalist movement, although never technically joined a Universalist congregation
S
• Mary Safford (1851–1927) Unitarian Minister and leader of the Iowa Sisterhood.
• Leverett Saltonstall (1892–1979) U.S. Senator from Massachusetts3
• Ellery Schempp (1940-), Physicist who is also famous for being the primary student involved in the landmark 1963 United States Supreme Court case of Abington School District v. Schempp which declared that public school-sanctioned Bible readings were unconstitutional.
• Arthur Schlesinger (1917–2007) American historian
• William F. Schulz - former Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, former president of the Unitarian Universalist Association
• Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) late in life unitarian; honorary member of the Church of the Larger Fellowship (Unitarian Friend)
• Pete Seeger (b. 1919) Folk singer and song writer
• Rod Serling (1924–1975) Writer; Creator of The Twilight Zone television series.
• Michael Servetus (1511–1553) proto-unitarian
• Lemuel Shaw A Unitarian and Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Under his leadership, the court convicted Abner Kneeland, a former Universalist, of blasphemy.
• Faustus Socinus 1539–1604) an Italian theologian and founder of the school of Christian thought known as "Socinianism" and the main theologian of Polish Brethren
• Catherine Helen Spence - Australian suffragette and political reformer
• Pete Stark, D.-Calif. (1931—): U.S. Representative.
• Vilhjalmur Stefansson (1879–1962) Arctic explorer and champion of Native American rights
• Adlai Stevenson (1900–1965) Illinois governor, and Democratic Presidential candidate in 1952 and 1956
S
• William Howard Taft (1857–1930), President of the United States (1909–1913)
V
• Kurt Vonnegut (1922–2007), writer
W
• Daniel Webster (1782–1852)15
• Alfred T. White (1846–1921) Housing reformer and philanthropist
• William Carlos Williams (1883–1963) Physician and author
• Samuel Williston Dean of America's legal profession.
• Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) Among Wright's architectural works were Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois, and First Unitarian Society in Madison, Wisconsin
• Whitney M. Young (1921–1971) Social work administrator
Z
• John II Sigismund Zápolya (1540–1570) King of Hungary, then Prince of Transylvania.
http://www.librarything.com/topic/225896#
22timspalding
John Calhoun? Yipes.
24timspalding
He ended the war…
25RickHarsch
>24 timspalding: What a bizarre and misleading post. Christmas bombing anyone?
26timspalding
I'm not being serious.
