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rug

(82,333 posts)
Thu Apr 17, 2014, 03:55 PM Apr 2014

South Carolina State Senator Brought “Atheism” Rumor To Governor

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is in a fight on Facebook about the religious faith of an appointee.

posted on April 17, 2014 at 1:52pm EDT

Republican South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and a state senator from her own party are in an argument on Facebook — over whether or not a state appointee is an atheist, something the state senator confirms she once raised with the governor.

The Facebook argument began with hearings over the state’s Department of Social Services, which has come under fire in recent months after repeated reports of child abuse and neglect, some of which resulted in high-profile deaths.

The agency’s director, Lillian Koller, testified before the state legislature Wednesday amid calls for Koller’s resignation. Haley appointed Koller in 2011.

Some of the governor’s allies argue that the hearings are being used as a weapon to damage Haley politically in an election year. Still, Haley has stood by Koller

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mckaycoppins/south-carolina-state-senator-asked-governor-whether-appointe

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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South Carolina State Senator Brought “Atheism” Rumor To Governor (Original Post) rug Apr 2014 OP
Anyone ask Haley if she is or has been Muslim, elleng Apr 2014 #1
Haley isn't the one who made inappropriate or irrelevant allegations/comments this time. AtheistCrusader Apr 2014 #2
Her parents are apparently Sikh and she was rather viciously attacked cbayer Apr 2014 #4
Damn right she should be! elleng Apr 2014 #6
That is some really ugly stuff and I am sad that the governor isn't cbayer Apr 2014 #3
Koller must be doing her job right, okasha Apr 2014 #5
Atheists cannot be elected to office in SC stage left Apr 2014 #7
SCOTUS:Torcaso. okasha Apr 2014 #8
But it's still on the books... MellowDem Apr 2014 #9
Exactly, it's still in the SC constitution. stage left Apr 2014 #11
The atheists must be rooted out... MellowDem Apr 2014 #10

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)
2. Haley isn't the one who made inappropriate or irrelevant allegations/comments this time.
Thu Apr 17, 2014, 04:49 PM
Apr 2014

Oddly enough.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
4. Her parents are apparently Sikh and she was rather viciously attacked
Thu Apr 17, 2014, 06:39 PM
Apr 2014

as a "raghead" during an election.

She really should be more sensitive to this whole issue.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
3. That is some really ugly stuff and I am sad that the governor isn't
Thu Apr 17, 2014, 06:37 PM
Apr 2014

taking more of a stand in support of the director.

She is basically saying that it would be a problem if the secretary is, in fact, an atheist, when she should be saying that it doesn't make a bit of difference.

stage left

(2,934 posts)
7. Atheists cannot be elected to office in SC
Thu Apr 17, 2014, 11:48 PM
Apr 2014

South Carolina, Article 17, Section 4:
No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution

MellowDem

(5,018 posts)
9. But it's still on the books...
Fri Apr 18, 2014, 09:39 AM
Apr 2014

ever wonder how that makes atheists feel?

The only reason they don't remove it I'm guessing is because it would be unpopular to do so. But I feel leaving such explicitly bigoted law on the books is not good for society and is an implicit "fuck you" to whoever is being discriminated against.

stage left

(2,934 posts)
11. Exactly, it's still in the SC constitution.
Fri Apr 18, 2014, 01:16 PM
Apr 2014

And it was used against a man named Silverman who wanted to be a Notary. I think the year was about 1997, over 30 years after Torcaso. Silverman v Campbell. I have no doubt that it could come up again, forcing a person to go to court to get their Constitutional rights when they shouldn't have to do so. I should not have said that avowed atheists cannot be elected in SC, but that an avowed atheist will probably have to go to court to obtain the rights he should already have. Or, he can just not mention that he's an atheist and swear the oath while crossing his fingers.

MellowDem

(5,018 posts)
10. The atheists must be rooted out...
Fri Apr 18, 2014, 09:42 AM
Apr 2014

Every rumor must be investigated!

Holy fuck, that this isn't bigger news and these bigots aren't resigning shows the power and privilege of religion in SC in full swing.

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