Rep. Jared Huffman, a Democrat representing a large portion of Northern California, has emerged as one of Congress’s most outspoken nonbelievers, openly identifying as a secular humanist in a political landscape where religiosity is the norm. Huffman, who revealed his agnostic views publicly in 2017, is one of only four members of the more than 500-seat body who are openly unaffiliated with any religion.

At 62, Huffman’s rejection of traditional religious belief is rooted in personal experience. Raised in a Mormon offshoot faith in Independence, Missouri, he served as a priest in his youth. However, the death of his father from lung cancer when Huffman was 19 triggered a period of deep questioning and reflection. He credits his earlier religious convictions with complicating the grieving process and ultimately led him to embrace humanism, which he defines as a moral framework independent of divine authority or afterlife incentives.

Huffman has been a vocal advocate for maintaining a clear separation between church and state. Alongside other lawmakers, he helped establish the Congressional Freethought Caucus, a group dedicated to that principle and currently comprising about three dozen members across religious backgrounds. He argues that secularism is critical to protecting American democracy, especially amid concerns over the rise of Christian nationalism.

The Marin County-based congressman traces his decision to come out publicly as nonreligious to two main factors: the death of his deeply religious mother, which he initially did not want to distress, and the election of Donald Trump. Huffman found the former president’s close alignment with evangelical supporters and promotion of Christian nationalist rhetoric deeply troubling, seeing it as a threat to democratic norms.

Despite warnings from aides and family about potential political fallout, Huffman moved forward with his announcement. To date, he has suffered no electoral consequences, winning re-election in subsequent races with margins exceeding 70%. He acknowledges receiving threats and criticism, but notes that voters tend to prioritize his legislative work over his private beliefs.

Huffman’s forthcoming book, scheduled for release next month, further explores his personal journey away from faith while sounding an alarm about the growing influence of Christian nationalism. The book addresses topics such as “Breaking Faith,” “Christian Privilege,” and “Christian Zionism,” linking religious ideology to recent political events, including the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

For Huffman, the broader mission is defending what he considers the foundational American ideal of secular democracy. “The book is not so much about humanism,” he said, “it is about the fight to protect our secular democracy, which, I think, is the bedrock of America as we know it.” The dedication reads, “For everyone who refuses to bow,” underscoring his call for resistance against the encroachment of religious influence in government.