I would like to know which states give less rights to people without religious beliefs, including the right to run for political office. If you do not know or are guessing, please do not answer. Sources would be great as well. Thank you!
2007-12-27 08:19:45 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Actually, while those laws are still on the books in seven states, thanks to the Supreme Court, they are unenforceable. So there are no states where atheists have less rights than believers.
2007-12-27 08:29:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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."
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."
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."
2007-12-27 08:26:06 · answer #2 · answered by CC 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Arkansas, No. Carolina, So. Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Maryland all have State Constitutions barring atheists from holding office. There's probably more.
2007-12-27 08:28:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know the specific states that have these laws on the books, but they are overruled by the federal government.
2007-12-27 08:23:15 · answer #4 · answered by Eiliat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.religioustolerance.org/atheist7.htm
The section entitled "public office" on this page tells you which states discriminate against atheists.
2007-12-27 08:24:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Texas has a very unconstitutional constitution where people have to acknowledge God to hold office.
2007-12-27 08:22:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
* 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."[23]
* 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...."[24]. 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."[25]
* 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."[26]
* 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."[27] Overturned by O'Hair v. Hill (1978-84).
* Maryland's Bill of Rights:[28]
o Article 36: "That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefore, no person ought by any law to be molested in his person or estate, on account of his religious persuasion, or profession, or for his religious practice, unless, under the color of religion, he shall disturb the good order, peace or safety of the State, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil or religious rights; nor ought any person to be compelled to frequent, or maintain, or contribute, unless on contract, to maintain, any place of worship, or any ministry; nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence of God, and that under His dispensation such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefore either in this world or in the world to come."
o Article 37: "That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this Constitution."
Overturned by SCOTUS in Torcaso v. Watkins.
2007-12-27 08:25:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
in 50 that will not let them become president because thay do not believe in a fairy tale god
2007-12-27 08:26:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you talking about in theory, or in practice? (there are many laws, not all of which are kept).
2007-12-27 09:22:59 · answer #9 · answered by James Bond 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know that Texas is one. South Carolina.
2007-12-27 08:22:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋