Did You Know

[Lon]

that the state of Arkansas has a provision that bans Atheists from holding public office. This provision just lost an appeal that would have changed the law and allow atheists to hold office.

What's your thinking on this one? Agree? Disagree?

[Ted]

Lon

I do not believe that one's faith or lack thereof should in any way impinge on their right to hold public office. The next step would be to say something like you can't hold such an office if you are Episcopalian or Roman Catholic.

That is simply discrimination and should not be allowed.

Shalom
Ted

Originally Posted by Lon

that the state of Arkansas has a provision that bans Atheists from holding public office. This provision just lost an appeal that would have changed the law and allow atheists to hold office.

What's your thinking on this one? Agree? Disagree?

It's interesting, Im a bit shocked, do you have a link for the story?

[Lon]

Originally Posted by Jester

It's interesting, Im a bit shocked, do you have a link for the story?

Dispatches from the Culture Wars: Bill to Repeal Anti-Atheist Provision in Arkansas Constitution


Arkansas is just one of five states with a similar law.

I find it interesting that this kind of discrimination is not better reported.

http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/com...s_from_public/

Originally Posted by Lon

Dispatches from the Culture Wars: Bill to Repeal Anti-Atheist Provision in Arkansas Constitution


Arkansas is just one of five states with a similar law.

I find it interesting that this kind of discrimination is not better reported.

Arkansas, 5 Other States, Ban Atheists from Public Service. Seriously - Even though the U.S. Supreme Court ruled all such state provisions unconstitutional and unenforceable in a 1961 ruling : politics

I get it, I have heard of other laws similar that are not enforceable and simply a waste of time to remove from the books, another law supercedes it in authority so its a law that is null and void. There's onw on the book in CA about not bathing during certain times, crazy stuff.

This must date back in time to a period when athiests were considered untrustworthy.

I think thi sis absolutely unenforceable even when it was a valid law and was probably more of a warnign to keep athiests out of office rather than an actual enforceable law that could be used to remove soemone from office or legally ban them from running.

Personally I don't care if soemone belives in God or not as far as qualification for office, I think there are plenty of people who say they belive in God then don't follow his basic laws that are in office, so what difference does it make?

There aren't many good men that run, athiest or beliver anyway, seems like the last thing I'd ask.

[Lon]

Originally Posted by Jester

I get it, I have heard of other laws similar that are not enforceable and simply a waste of time to remove from the books, another law supercedes it in authority so its a law that is null and void. There's onw on the book in CA about not bathing during certain times, crazy stuff.

This must date back in time to a period when athiests were considered untrustworthy.

I think thi sis absolutely unenforceable even when it was a valid law and was probably more of a warnign to keep athiests out of office rather than an actual enforceable law that could be used to remove soemone from office or legally ban them from running.

Personally I don't care if soemone belives in God or not as far as qualification for office, I think there are plenty of people who say they belive in God then don't follow his basic laws that are in office, so what difference does it make?

There aren't many good men that run, athiest or beliver anyway, seems like the last thing I'd ask.

It really doesn't matter ------------ I doubt that anyone running for public office that came out and said they are an atheist would ever stand a chance of being elected. I'll have to search that one.

Originally Posted by Lon

It really doesn't matter ------------ I doubt that anyone running for public office that came out and said they are an atheist would ever stand a chance of being elected. I'll have to search that one.

I think the answer will surprise you Lon, may in CA get elected on athiest principles!

"No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any court."

Carroll's bill seeks to put a referendum on the ballot to repeal that language. This language cannot be enforced, of course. Under Torcaso v Watkins, it is clearly unconstitutional.

And that there sums it up.

[sunny104]

I though we stopped discriminating people based on gender, religion, race, etc. Atheists should not be excluded from that in any way.

[Clodhopper]

chuckle. Funny what old rules and regulations hang around. Heard a story once of a Cambridge student who'd been digging around in old Uni documents, and noted a C16th (or something) regulation which allowed him to send out for a pint of beer while sitting an examination. He was successful, but then found he'd been failed for not attending the exam with a sword!

Probably apocyphal, but it gave me a giggle.