Did You Know

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:48 pm

that the state of Arkansas has a provision that bans Atheists from holding public office. This provision just lost an appeal that would have changed the law and allow atheists to hold office.

What's your thinking on this one? Agree? Disagree?

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:20 pm

Lon:-6

I do not believe that one's faith or lack thereof should in any way impinge on their right to hold public office. The next step would be to say something like you can't hold such an office if you are Episcopalian or Roman Catholic.

That is simply discrimination and should not be allowed.

Shalom

Ted:-6

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:24 pm

Jester;1144387 wrote: It's interesting, Im a bit shocked, do you have a link for the story?

Dispatches from the Culture Wars: Bill to Repeal Anti-Atheist Provision in Arkansas Constitution

Arkansas is just one of five states with a similar law.

I find it interesting that this kind of discrimination is not better reported.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:58 pm

Jester;1144413 wrote: I get it, I have heard of other laws similar that are not enforceable and simply a waste of time to remove from the books, another law supercedes it in authority so its a law that is null and void. There's onw on the book in CA about not bathing during certain times, crazy stuff.

This must date back in time to a period when athiests were considered untrustworthy.

I think thi sis absolutely unenforceable even when it was a valid law and was probably more of a warnign to keep athiests out of office rather than an actual enforceable law that could be used to remove soemone from office or legally ban them from running.

Personally I don't care if soemone belives in God or not as far as qualification for office, I think there are plenty of people who say they belive in God then don't follow his basic laws that are in office, so what difference does it make?

There aren't many good men that run, athiest or beliver anyway, seems like the last thing I'd ask.

It really doesn't matter ------------ I doubt that anyone running for public office that came out and said they are an atheist would ever stand a chance of being elected. I'll have to search that one.

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:58 am

I though we stopped discriminating people based on gender, religion, race, etc. Atheists should not be excluded from that in any way.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:57 am

chuckle. Funny what old rules and regulations hang around. Heard a story once of a Cambridge student who'd been digging around in old Uni documents, and noted a C16th (or something) regulation which allowed him to send out for a pint of beer while sitting an examination. He was successful, but then found he'd been failed for not attending the exam with a sword!:wah:

Probably apocyphal, but it gave me a giggle.

usernew · Post by **usernew** » Mon May 25, 2009 9:40 am

Quite Bizarre, if there are any hard rules to differentiate the Theists and Atheists...

hoppy · Post by **hoppy** » Mon May 25, 2009 11:30 am

Lon;1144256 wrote: that the state of Arkansas has a provision that bans Atheists from holding public office. This provision just lost an appeal that would have changed the law and allow atheists to hold office.

What's your thinking on this one? Agree? Disagree?

I don't see why an atheists would want to hold office and have to be sworn in on a Bible and accept pay in currency marked "in God we trust".

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Mon May 25, 2009 11:38 am

hoppy;1194081 wrote: I don't see why an atheists would want to hold office and have to be sworn in on a Bible and accept pay in currency marked "in God we trust".

Of course not. They're not citizens after all are they. They shouldnt have equal rights at all should they

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:14 am

JAB;1144430 wrote: "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."

Carroll's bill seeks to put a referendum on the ballot to repeal that language. This language cannot be enforced, of course. Under Torcaso v Watkins, it is clearly unconstitutional.

And that there sums it up.

So if an atheist witnesses a murder his evidence wouldn't be accepted in court?

You can't have a christian democracy the two are incompatible.

posted by lon

that the state of Arkansas has a provision that bans Atheists from holding public office. This provision just lost an appeal that would have changed the law and allow atheists to hold office.

What's your thinking on this one? Agree? Disagree?

Yet people think all the religious nutters are muslim.

Chockygirl · Post by **Chockygirl** » Tue May 26, 2009 3:59 am

Lon;1144256 wrote: that the state of Arkansas has a provision that bans Atheists from holding public office. This provision just lost an appeal that would have changed the law and allow atheists to hold office.

What's your thinking on this one? Agree? Disagree?

I think it's discriminating against people with different views-there has to be a separation of church from state.

What if you are religious,but the god you worship isn't the god that's *acceptable* by the law makers in Arkansas?:yh_eyerol

cigar898 · Post by **cigar898** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:40 pm

One's belief or non-belief should not dictate whether one is able to hold office and perform the duties of that position. Silly law.

cigar898 · Post by **cigar898** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:19 am

Lon;1144256 wrote: that the state of Arkansas has a provision that bans Atheists from holding public office. This provision just lost an appeal that would have changed the law and allow atheists to hold office.

What's your thinking on this one? Agree? Disagree?

Bad law........one should not be banned for their religous beliefs or lack thereof....