Is it true that Atheists can't run for office in seven states of America?

Question

I thought America had a constitution that prevented religion and politics from being mixed?

I don't have the information myself, I am merely asking if it is true.
I saw this video that makes the claims, and I was just wondering if it was true or not.

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-7592561045257504768&q=Why+Atheists+Care+duration%3Along&total=3&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Answer 1

"North Carolina is one of seven states whose constitutions require belief in a higher power to hold public office.

South Carolina is another. Also: Arkansas, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.

Granted, these states don't enforce their must-believe-in-God-to-serve provisions.

But South Carolina tried -- in the 1990s."


If an atheist ran for office and it was contested on grounds of their atheism, they would have to fight it in court.

North Carolina's 1776 Constitution also banned Catholics, Jews and Muslims. Only those who acknowledged "the truth of the Protestant religion" could serve.

Dontcha love religion...

Answer 2

I've seen the laws... it's a bit debatable. It usually goes something like you don't have to be religious, just god fearing.

Now, I'd read it as "no religion needed". And those that want to see atheist down (both atheists looking for opression, and fundies blocking atheists) see it as "must believe in a god".

I can only assume they were originally meant as unbiased clauses to allow anyone to apply... but the lawmakers couldn't concieve of the idea of an applicant that didn't believe at all. That's just my opinion.

That explain any?

Answer 3

It is true in a few states, though it has mostly been amended or found unconstitutional..

* Arkansas' Constitution of 1874 (Article 19, Section 1) states: "Atheists disqualified from holding office or testifying as witness. 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."[21]

* North Carolina's Constitution of 1971 (Article 6, Section 8) states: "Disqualifications of office. The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God...."[22]. This was challenged and overturned by Voswinkel v. Hunt (1979).

* South Carolina's Constitution of 2006 (Article 6, Section 2) states: "Person denying existence of Supreme Being not to hold office. No person who denies the existence of the Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution."[23]

* Tennessee's Constitution/Bill of Rights (Article 9, Section 2) states: "No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state."[24]

* Texas' Constitution: The Bill of Rights (Article I, Section 4) last amended on September 13, 2003 states that an official may be "excluded from holding office" if she/he does not "acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."[25] Overturned by O'Hair v. Hill (1978-84).

Answer 4

Yes it is true.

Certain states say that in order to run for office, you must believe in a gawd regardless of which gawd you believe in. This means if you're an atheist, you can't run.

And this is at the state level, not the federal level. Besides, the majority of Americans wouldn't vote for an atheist anyway.

Answer 5

It is strange that of the 500 or so politicians holding office in the USA , none of them are Atheists , obviously there are a few Atheists , but they can’t be seen to be Atheists .

Atheism is still a taboo in American politics , far more so than even homosexuality . Times are changing and I think in my lifetime we will start to see the Atheists come out of the closet in American politics.

Answer 6

True. I don't have the details in front of me. They are not Federal offices. They are state, county and municipal. It has to do with old language that has never been changed. Ohio, Tennessee and Texas are the ones I read about over the years. TD

Answer 7

I don't know that it's seven, but a handful of states do have such laws. And yes, they are void by Article 6 of the US Constitution that specifically says there will be no religious test to hold public office. Those laws are not observed because the Constitution supersedes state law.

Answer 8

If thats true blame your founding fathers,who were incidentally banished from the British mainland for extremist heretical beliefs...and aliester crowley was born one of the Plymouth brethren too and he was a nutter and into demonology...a prime example methinks...

Answer 9

I've just read the answers to this question with growing incredulity. What a benighted, bigoted and parochial nation the US has become. Thank God I'm British!

Answer 10

I live in Texas. Our state constitution does in fact forbid it.

Now, it would never pass the Equal Protection clause under the US Constitution, and they don't enforce it. But it is still on the books and a part of our state Constitution.