Voting today and the separation of church and state?

Question

I am an Atheist. I will be voting later today. My voting place is in a local church. I can get by that, but......in order to get to the polls there is an open bible you have to walk past. The only way in and out. Is this really OK? I have inquired in the past and was told this was the only place to vote and no one would address the issue. Should the book be moved or covered? I do not want to vote absentee, as I do not think they are really counted. No smart a** answers please. Thank you.

Answer 1

Considering how many Bible Nazis are trying to use the coercive power of the state to shove their god down every ones throat, I think the Bible in plain view can be considered electioneering inside a polling place, which is a violation of the law.

Answer 2

Well first,you have to take into account the true definition of separation of church and state.I asked the question last week for someone to give me a good example.They sent me a link with the amendments in order,and easy to read and understand.
Going strictly by what I read,anyone can preach in the open air.Anyone can read their bible anywhere.People can pray whenever they choose and where ever they choose.
The separation of church and state has nothing to do with the public school system,and over the years has been perverted to meet man's desires.
The separation of church and state means the government won't set up a state church like say for instance Saudi Arabia where Islam is what you believe in or you die.
It gives the American citizen the right to believe as they choose.
If this is the case,making some one remove the ten commandments from plain sight is against the law.It is their right as an American to display as such.
For anyone that has a different interpretation,they are the men I was talking about previously.

Answer 3

The church is doing the community a service by hosting the polls. It will always be a church though, therefore the Bible does not need to be moved. You do not have to read it. You do not have to change your beliefs in order to cast your vote there. My recommendation for you is that if you are truly uncomfortable with the location of the polls, check with your town hall regarding absentee ballots for future votes. You can vote from the privacy of your own home and mail it in.

Answer 4

Is an open book really going to influence the vote? If so, American Democracy is worse off than I thought. My guess is that a few people will be offended by this, but really there is no logical reason that this is such a terrible thing.
I had to go to a local public school to vote, I am sure I could have found several things to be offended at if I choose to be.
Perhaps the church should be thanked for opening its doors to the voters in an area where there wasn't another option.

Answer 5

I don't think it will influence anyone's vote, and that's what's most important. I also vote in a church, and it doesn't bother me in the least. If someone was standing at the door blessing people, passing out tracts, and telling each person "how the Bible says" they should vote, then I'd have something to say, but not about a book sitting nearby.

Shayna: "We need God in our Governemnt, in our schools, in our homes etc."

Some people will never understand that separation of church and state protects each person's right to believe as his conscience dictates. Weakening the wall only increases the chances that someone will end up telling you what you must believe and what you must not believe. If you want the freedom to think for yourself, you must pay for it by allowing everyone else the right to think for themselves. That's freedom of conscience.

Answer 6

unfortunately for you, your voting place is in a church. you should see if they have early voting places - library or such - or contact the department and see if it can be changed.

the church is giving it's social hall or whatnot to the city to act as a voting precinct. it's a common practice and becoming more so now that schools can't be used (which is totally stupid in my thoughts).

the bible is there for the church - not you. i don't mean that rude but.... i have to put up with things i don't like when i go places. the majority wins - or at least it used too. people have become too sensitive -- IMHO - walk past and think nothing about it.

Answer 7

You don't have to read it. It is the property of the church, not the government. The government is not endorsing a religion, the church is. The book should not be moved or covered. The church is accomodating the community by permitting their church to be used as a polling place. If it's a Baptist church, maybe Methodists are offended, or vice versa. Stop looking to take offense and go vote!

Answer 8

All I can say.... r egardless of what you believe or don't believe, for crying out loud, if something as pathetically irrelevant as walking past an open bible is "eating your lunch" you have waaaaaaaay too much free time on your hands.
I don't call me an anything, because I don't hang labels on myself. I just like to describe myself as an "independant" when it comes to religion. But I have some private issues with certain rigid beliefs. However every human being has the right to believe as he chooses and since America is very largely made up of Christian Believers, it absolutely does not bother me one bit if they choose to honor their personal beliefs in ways that do not in any way, shape or form, interfere with my daily activities. Who should care if there is an open bible that people have to pass by on their way to the polling booth? It is there for the benefit of those who recognise the Bible, and for anyone who doesn't walk right on ;past it, and go vote. I assure you that passing that Bible is not going to put some kind of Hex on ya and make you vote for somebody you weren't intending to LOL.

Answer 9

Well, it is the churches choice to leave an open Bible out, so long as they are not promoting one candidate over another. Though, I know sometimes it seems some Christians place their personal party on even keel with their God, which to me is really whacked. Now if they do that, then it isn't OK. I would ignore it, personally.

Answer 10

Are you afraid it is going to jump out and bite you or something?
I mean honestly, I'm not trying to be a "smart **s" as you put it, but if you are truly an atheist then the fact that it is a Bible should not mean anything more to you than if it were a copy of War and Peace sitting there.
And doll, brush up on your history. Separation of Church and state refers to the concept of prohibiting a government mandated religion without freedom of choice.
Has nothing to do with polling places for crying out loud.
Honestly, stop whining and get to the poll and vote!