Congressman Jared Huffman is releasing a book titled “No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism,” in which he contends that a theocratic movement has become increasingly powerful and poses significant threats to science, education, and freedom. Huffman characterizes the movement as having a particularly prominent role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, noting the presence of religious symbols and prayer among rioters—observations he believes were largely overlooked by colleagues and in official investigations.
Huffman, 62, represents California and is the only current member of Congress to publicly acknowledge he does not hold religious beliefs. He was raised in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, an offshoot of Mormonism, and was ordained into its priesthood. His faith began to waver during his college years following his father’s death, and he eventually adopted what he describes as humanism—a framework centered on leading an ethical life based on science, facts, and reason rather than supernatural beliefs.
For years, Huffman kept his secular views private, even participating in a Bible-holding photo during his swearing-in to Congress in 2013. Following his mother’s death in 2017 and concerned by what he saw as growing religious extremism in government, he decided to publicly acknowledge his non-belief despite warnings from staff and advisers that doing so could damage his political career. Polling data continues to show that identifying as atheist remains the least favorable label for candidates in American politics.
Huffman argues that what he calls “Christian privilege”—a cultural taboo that shields religious radicalism from scrutiny applied to minority or foreign faiths—allows Christian nationalism to operate with insufficient accountability. He points to the January 6 Capitol attack and the subsequent House select committee investigation as examples, asserting that religious elements of the uprising received inadequate attention in official accounts. Since going public with his secular identity, Huffman reports experiencing both support from some colleagues and criticism from others, including some fellow Democrats who are devout Christians.
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