I believe there is none and it is discrimination.
2007-03-27 17:09:57 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nice to know with some of these answers like "Move someplace else" how you won't challenge the very laws that are in place if they are unconstitional or not.
Why are you living in the US if you don't want to uphold the freedom that it so declares. I say you move.
2007-03-27 17:20:07 · update #1
that's astonishing? Really, what states?
Astonishing, but after watching "jesus camp" not particularly surprising.
2007-03-27 17:12:40 · answer #1 · answered by Morey000 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Evidently, at one time, the majority of voters in those states thought it woujld be a good thing if the people in office were people of faith.
Whether such a law would hold up today or not, is pretty doubtful. I guess we'll have to wait until an atheist actually runs for office in one of these states to find out. Of course, if he does overturn the law, as expected, but his opponent is a person of faith, there is still the chance that he might lose anyhow.
However, that is the way things work, or at least the way they used to work. It is called "government of the people, for the people, (and this last is important) BY the people".
Now that isn't to say that "the people" can't or don't vote for some pretty stupid stuff. But it is their right to vote the way they believe.
EDIT:
Are these laws Constitutional?
You and I may not think so, but there are possible arguments that one might use:
One could argue that none of these laws require that a person must pass a religious test in order to hold office.
The first amendment doesn't apply here, unless we are finally admitting that atheism is a religion...the clause being referred to gaurantees freedom of religion, and the right to practice one's religion, it has nothing at all to do with people who claim to have no religion.
2007-03-28 21:49:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If that is indeed a law, it is nothing short of discrimination. The reason that may be a law is to keep communists out of office and I'd hazard a guess that they were enacted during the 50s (the same era that gave us 'Under God' in the pledge).
Generally, believers feel that if you don't believe, you are immoral and unethical when we've seen recently that being a believer makes you more immoral and unethical than not believing.
2007-03-28 00:14:26 · answer #3 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do you mean the law that states that you have to believe in God to take a political office. As far I know, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the 1960's or 70's that you do not have to state your belief in God to take a political oath of office or to serve on a legal jury. I have heard of an instance where a person swore on a "Lord of a Rings" novel instead of the Bible.
2007-03-28 00:20:08 · answer #4 · answered by Philatellic I.Y.C. 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What 7 states and what is the wording of the law? I would be very interested in checking this out
2007-03-28 01:09:34 · answer #5 · answered by meona 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The laws can be found here:
http://www.godlessgeeks.com/LINKS/StateConstitutions.htm
They are sorta blue laws that aren't really used. But they aren't used, because there is no use for them now. If any atheist were to run for Governor in one of these states, they could be sued based on these laws.
They'd probably win, and the laws would be overturned. But it is an extra step an atheist would have to take to run for office. And that is discrimination.
2007-03-28 00:18:29 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Seems like old laws that unfortunately are still on the books because nobody wants to destroy his political career by getting rid of them, but nobody actually enforces.
The south carolina law banning interracial marriage was only repealed eight and a half years ago.
2007-03-28 00:15:01 · answer #7 · answered by eldad9 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There are many old laws still on the books, even ones against adultery and sodomy. But they are never enforced, sort of like our immigration laws.
May God Bless you.
2007-03-28 00:18:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your absolutely right it is.
I am a theist but I find such laws to be absolutely wrong.
Right now they are not enforced, but who knows if the tide should turn and they could be used to deny someones civil liberties.
for those that dont know
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrimination_against_atheists#State_Constitutions
please write to your local state rep if you live in one of these states.
2007-03-28 00:13:10 · answer #9 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Cite something so we have an idea of what you're talking about. I've never heard of that.
2007-03-28 00:12:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is news to me. Which states are these?
2007-03-28 00:12:23 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋