Topic: Good Theists ONLY in public office....
no photo
Fri 12/11/09 05:27 PM
http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20091208/NEWS01/912080327


Critics of Cecil Bothwell cite N.C. bar to atheists
BY JORDAN SCHRADER • DECEMBER 8, 2009


ASHEVILLE — North Carolina's constitution is clear: politicians who deny the existence of God are barred from holding office.

Opponents of Cecil Bothwell are seizing on that law to argue he should not be seated as a City Council member today, even though federal courts have ruled religious tests for public office are unlawful under the U.S. Constitution.

“I'm not saying that Cecil Bothwell is not a good man, but if he's an atheist, he's not eligible to serve in public office, according to the state constitution,” said H.K. Edgerton, a former Asheville NAACP president.

Article 6, section 8 of the state constitution says: “The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.”




there is more - see link above

beautifullyinvisible's photo
Fri 12/11/09 05:55 PM
Wow. Disgusting.

Belief or disbelief in God had nothing to do with being a good person or a good public official.

KerryO's photo
Fri 12/11/09 06:18 PM
I just hope some civil rights group like the ACLU has enough resources to fight this. It's past blatant as far as unconstitutionality goes, about as bad as the Ten Commandment display by that southern conservative judge who was defrocked for his defiance of the Constitution a few years ago.

I guess religious fascism, like charity, begins at home.


-Kerry O.

jrbogie's photo
Sat 12/12/09 04:30 AM
seems a violation of the first amendment. but then we still have god on our money and in the pledge. still alot of work to do to set things right by the constitution. we'll get there but it's wearing a little thin seeing the government delving into religion.