Written by In a recent episode of his show, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” the famous comedian, political commentator, and television host, Bill Maher, declared that atheists are the fastest-growing “religious group” in the United States. According to Maher, over one-third of the US population identifies as “none” when asked about their religious affiliation, and atheism is a significant subset of this group.
Maher’s statement intends to spark a lively debate about the role of atheism and religion in modern society and its impact on our political landscape. Despite the growing number of non-religious individuals, atheists remain underrepresented in politics, and the United States Supreme Court lacks religious diversity. These factors raise questions about the value of religious diversity in our political system and the potential biases that may arise from homogeneity.
In the video “Bill Maher: ‘Atheists are the Fastest Growing Religious Group in the US'”, Maher not only discusses the rise of atheism in the United States but also highlights the challenges faced by atheists in politics. Maher points out that even President Barack Obama had to pretend to be religious to appeal to the masses and win votes. This highlights the extent to which religious beliefs are ingrained in the political system and the potential biases that arise from them.
Maher also draws attention to the lack of religious diversity in the United States Supreme Court. Currently, the Supreme Court consists of two Protestants, one Jew, and six judges who are “more Catholic than the Pope.” This lack of diversity raises concerns about the potential for bias and lack of representation in the highest court in the land.
