Article XIX, Sec. 1, of the Arkansas constitution: "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."
2006-08-18 11:11:36 · 14 answers · asked by comproze 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Well, fortunately under the Supremacy clause, the US Constitution preempts the state constitution.
Article VI Section 2: "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
2006-08-18 11:18:19 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is clearly in violation of the U. S. Constitution, and if it were ever invoked, it would certainly be successfully challenged. It is just ignored. Many people (not just atheists) refuse to "swear an oath" before testifying, and are allowed to make an affirmation that they will tell the truth instead.
2006-08-18 11:19:02 · answer #2 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One must wonder when that ordinance was written. I'd then write to the Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln and ask her for her suggestions to have such an obviously Unconstitutional Law removed from the books!
Don't bother trying to write to Governor Huckabee as he's the guy who had Covenant Marriages put into law. He's wacko.
2006-08-18 11:21:38 · answer #3 · answered by DEATH 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you are required to swear to tell the truth by placing your hand on a Bible which for an atheist has no meaning and if you can't be sworn in you can not testify
2006-08-18 11:18:01 · answer #4 · answered by peacelovejoy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Bible-thumpers rule the land, and until that changes, the so-called "freedom of religion" that we so pride ourselves on will remain mere myth.
2006-08-18 11:17:58 · answer #5 · answered by gadjitfreek 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All those have to be sworn in on the bible which holds no authority for athiests.
2006-08-18 11:17:54 · answer #6 · answered by Steve S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because christians are persecuted
or so they tell me
and they always tell the truth. I mean someone wouldn't imply that all atheists lie if they had no actual evidence of it would they
2006-08-18 11:17:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
WTF?!
That's one really screwed up state!
Alas, federal laws are above state laws. So yeah, i'm assuming it's an ignored, arcane law.
2006-08-18 11:20:35 · answer #8 · answered by Eclipse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because you place your hand on a bible to be sworn in. those who are atheist wouldn't believe in the bible and therefore cannot be counted on to tell the truth.
2006-08-18 11:17:37 · answer #9 · answered by J Somethingorother 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you give an oath, it has to be anchored in belief. If you have no belief, then there is nothing that locks in your oath.
2006-08-18 11:18:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋