Thursday, August 09, 2007

Can An Atheist Run for Public Office?

Of course, this is a free country and Article 6, paragraph 3 of our Constitution says:

"no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States".

But tell that to the states of Arkansas (article 19, section 1), Maryland (article 36), North Carolina (article 6, section 8), South Carolina (article 4, section2), Tennessee (article 9, section 2) and Texas (article 1, section 4). Each of these states constitutions require that you acknowledge the existence of God or a Supreme Being in order to hold state level public office. I especially like article 1, section 4 of the Texas State Constitution:

"No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being".

Who is the highest ranking public official in the USA that publicly denies the existence of a supreme being? That would be Rep. Pete Stark of California.

Next question. Does God bless America?

4 comments:

Brian said...

"Does God bless America"

Given the quality of politicians in this country, I wish He'd bless us a little more.

Anonymous said...

Karl Rove admitted at one point that he is an atheist.

PCS said...

Karl Rove was never elected to public office. But I agree that Rove has claimed to "not be a believer". I doubt he ever used the "A" word.

PCS said...

Karl may not be a person of faith but it doesn't stop him from invoking the blessing of God.

Like them, I will ask for God's continued gifts of strength and wisdom for you and your work, your vital work for our country and the world, and for the Almighty's continued blessing of our great country.