In the United States, we have this thing called a Constitution, it’s supposed to be the highest law in the land. There’s a couple things in that Constitution, like the First Amendment, and Article VI, section 3, which are supposed to build a wall between the government and religion, and prevent any form of “religious test†as a qualification to any office or public trust in the US.
It’s all pretty straightforward and anyone with a cow’s brain or better ought to be able to understand it. That said, there’s either some cow brains in certain state governments or we’ve got people willfully contravening the US Constitution.
I found these examples a while back and a saved them, but failed to mark the attribution. Since I can’t quote the original source, I looked them all up just to see if there are really true. They are. unbelievable!
The Texas Constitution
Article 1, section 4
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.
(Emphasis mine.)
I guess I’m OK in Texas, I do acknowledge the existence of a supreme being – myself. It may be immodest, but, if that’s the best they’ve got in Texas, I’ve got them beat.
The Constitution of North Carolina
Article VI, Section 8 Disqualifications for Office
The following persons shall be disqualified for office:
First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.
Great, atheist are first on the hit list in North Carolina, a charming state, I’m sure.
Incidentally, these are the “disqualifications†for holding an elected office. The second disqualification is not being eligible to vote and the third is treason or a felony.
I’m so they were able to get their priorities straight.
Let’s move down to South Carolina, an apparently equally benighted place, with their constitution, Article VI, Section 2, charmingly titled, “Person denying existence of Supreme Being shall not hold any office under their Constitution†Which says, in its entirety,
Like Texas, I think I have an “out†on this one, since it only mentions “supreme being.â€
Then there’s Tennessee, the land that gave us the Scopes Monkey trials. A state that can’t even publish their constitution in something other than PDF.
They’ve got Article IX, Section 2 under disqualifications from office:
Despite this nonsense, I’ll give minor points to Tennessee for also disqualifying all ministers and priests from being an elected legislator. They’ve also had the good sense to disqualify anyone how has ever participated in a duel.
So… why haven’t these constitutions been declared unconstitutional?
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