Atheism and State Government

The United States government was created in part as a purely secular institute. While this is not specifically said in the Constitution, it DOES say that state and church are to be separate. The first Amendment gives all citizens the freedom of religion, and therefore also the freedom to choose not to be a part of ANY religion. To quote it, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The belief that there are no gods falls under the "free exercise thereof", and cannot legally be encroached or limited by the government, whether that government be national or state. Here is a quote from the United States Constitution, Article 6, clause 3. "

All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

I believe that I have made my point as to the laws in place to secure the freedom of religion and the secular role government ought to have. Here are excerpts from state constitutions, with offending lines highlighted in red.

North Carolina

ARTICLE VI

SUFFRAGE AND ELIGIBILITY TO OFFICE

Sec. 7. Oath.

Before entering upon the duties of an office, a person elected or appointed to the office shall take and subscribe the following oath:

"I, _______________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the Constitution and laws of North Carolina not inconsistent therewith, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office as _______________, so help me God."

Sec. 8. Disqualifications for office.

The following persons shall be disqualified for office:

First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.

Second, with respect to any office that is filled by election by the people, any person who is not qualified to vote in an election for that office.

Third, any person who has been adjudged guilty of treason or any other felony against this State or the United States, or any person who has been adjudged guilty of a felony in another state that also would be a felony if it had been committed in this State, or any person who has been adjudged guilty of corruption or malpractice in any office, or any person who has been removed by impeachment from any office, and who has not been restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law.

Arkansas

Article 19.
Miscellaneous Provisions.
1. Atheists disqualified from holding office or testifying as witness.
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.


Mississippi

Article 14, Section 265. Denial of Supreme Being disqualification to hold office.

No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state.

South Carolina

ARTICLE XVII.

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

SECTION 4. Supreme Being.

No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution.

Tennessee

ARTICLE IX
Disqualifications.

Section 2. No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state.



That was five states. One tenth of the United States has unconstitutional laws prohibiting atheists from holding government office. These laws have been in place for far too long, and restrict the freedoms of those who choose not to believe in a being that we have no proof of its existence.