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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThere are still 8 states in which atheists cannot hold public office?
I just found out about this.
Simply astonishing.
DURHAM D
(32,603 posts)BSdetect
(8,994 posts)Mr.Bill
(24,228 posts)who don't attend church regularly, we should openly accuse them of being Atheists whenever they campaign.
RKP5637
(67,083 posts)Maru Kitteh
(28,313 posts)Just thinking out loud here.
Easterncedar
(2,255 posts)In Maine the law says if a person is scrupulous about swearing so help me god, alternate wording may be used. I like the assumption that the god botherers dont have scruples about it.
walkingman
(7,577 posts)I am a atheist but didn't openly admit it until I became old. Not well received here in Texas.
brooklynite
(94,294 posts)Notwithstanding what their State Constitutions say, the prohibition is unconstitutional and has not been upheld in the past.
comradebillyboy
(10,128 posts)walkingman
(7,577 posts)Article 1, Section 4 of the Texas Constitution states, "No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall anyone be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."
The language of the provision was challenged by a Texas voter in the mid-80s but instead of striking the language, the voter and then-Attorney General Jim Mattox signed an agreement in federal court saying that line was void because of the U.S. Constitution.
Let's face it - the reason it remains in the State Constitution is de facto support for it - no other reason.