Are 7 U.S. states in violation of human rights...?

Question

when atheists are prohibited from holding public office?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4fQA9mt-...


THANKS TO SILVER TONGUE AND HIS QUESTION

Do you believe it is right to prohibit the holding of public office by people who do not have religious beliefs?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4fQA9mt-Mg

Sorry about the other link. It is a video called "Why do atheists care about religion?" It includes a section listing 7 states where there are laws phibiting atheists from holding public office (or testifying in court!)

sorry... "laws PROHIBITING atheists"

Answer 1

Yes -- they are in violation of Article VI of the federal constitution, which explicitly prohibits any religious test as a requirement of office.

Answer 2

No, it's not a violation of human rights.

1st: The constitution does state that the government cannot interfere in the church. The constitution does NOT state the church can't interfere in the government.


If the population majority of the STATE agrees with this law and passes it, then it's within the states power to do so. I'm not sure if it's a neccessary thing to do...since popular vote would disallow people from winning anyways. I believe it's because the religious right often has a difficult time getting funds, and would like to assure that the people running are in fact religious...even if they don't have a lot of campaign money.

Answer 3

Well, your link only goes to the Youtube main page and I don't have the interest in tracking down anything.

It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of his religious affiliation - or lack of it..... We are Constitutionally guaranteed that right.

Ones personal belief or credo have nothing to do with how one functions on the public stage....including holding political office. It is irrelevant.

Answer 4

I think the relgious beliefs of office holders should be irrelevant. Church and state should be as separate as possible.