North Carolina
Related: About this forumthanks to my son i just learned something interesting.
you can't run for office here unless you profess the belief in "Almighty God"
NC is one of 7 states with such a ridiculous and unprovable requirement. it just amazed me.
Ilsa
(61,705 posts)barbtries
(28,813 posts)that no atheist has been brave enough (or foolhardy enough) to declare their atheism while running for office; or if they did, they lost.
enlightenment
(8,830 posts)How on earth could they enforce that ridiculous unconstitutional requirement for a candidate?
barbtries
(28,813 posts)my son and i are sitting across from each other; i'm doing homework, he's watching football and reading his reddit feeds.
i googled this:
Article 6, section 8 of the North Carolina constitution states: "The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God."
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2009/12/atheist_swears_affirms_oath_in_nc.html
barbtries
(28,813 posts)but they can't HOLD office according to the law.
what amazes me the most is that as far as i know the law - clearly unconstitutional - has not been challenged. not so much that people in charge in this state are so full of their religiosity that they would make it a law.
enlightenment
(8,830 posts)I don't think any of the states that still have them on the books would dare to trigger them. I'm sure the ACLU has all the briefs pre-written and ready to roll, should they try.
Of course that didn't stop Texas (?I think it was them) from trotting out their ancient sodomy law not long ago. Frankly, I think the states should be required to hold a constitutional convention every 20 years, just to make sure that their legal foundations are up to snuff.
barbtries
(28,813 posts)but considering the way the power in this state is sitting with virtual neanderthals, i'd hate to see the outcome of such a convention these days in NC.
enlightenment
(8,830 posts)Some states might need independent commissions to oversee the process . . . or UN Peacekeeping forces . . .
Triana
(22,666 posts)aristocles
(594 posts)You don't have to profess the belief in Almighty God. But you can't "deny the being of Almighty God".
barbtries
(28,813 posts)so you dare not say, "I do not believe in almighty god" - a fine distinction.
rdharma
(6,057 posts)By the US Supreme Court in 1961 (Torcaso v. Watkins 376 US 488).
NC can't require a "religious test" for office even if they have retained that provision in the NC constitution.
Federal law trumps state law (especially when the state law is unconstitutional).
barbtries
(28,813 posts)but, thank you for clearing that up.
rdharma
(6,057 posts)And living in NC, you know that's not going to happen.
I moved here a year ago and I was simply amazed how crazy the RW religious fanatics were and the political power they wield.
I was planning on moving ASAP...... but I decided I'm going to stay and fight these SOBs!
Welcome to the resistance!
i got here 6 years ago and it's enough already for me - though i will be here for some time to come.