Atheists in Government

[jt1012751]

I know the chance of an atheist getting elected to a government position is about as slim a minority getting elected to a major government positon, but at least the minority CAN get elected. In some state constitutions atheists can not hold government positions. I believe that, though it is not a direct breach of the first amendmant should be changed so that atheists may not be restricted based only on the fact that they do not believe in a god.

The first amendment states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

I believe that this should be changed so atheists may not be descriminated agaisnt legally. After do atheists not deserve the same right as witchs and satanists? I believe atheists deserve the same rights as everyone else, even if it means striking the words "under god" from everything related to the US Government.

It is clear the Bill of Rights does not protect atheists, but does that not violate the idea of America being the land of religious freedom and tolerance?

[Son of Belial]

It is clear the Bill of Rights does not protect atheists, but does that not violate the idea of America being the land of religious freedom and tolerance?

Yeah, pretty much. One of the founding principles of our nation was freedom of religion.

[grandpa]

Yeah, pretty much. One of the founding principles of our nation was freedom of religion.

And, as the bumper sticker says, freedom of religion also means freedom from religion.
It is really sad that an atheist could probably never become president.

Grandpa h.

[Jack]

Nixon was a Quaker and Kennedy a Catholic. That's about as radical as any recent president has gotten with their religious affiliation.
I too would like to see what an atheist could do in office. I'd also like to see a woman leader. Fat chance of either in my lifetime.

[Sonart]

It is clear the Bill of Rights does not protect atheists, but does that not violate the idea of America being the land of religious freedom and tolerance?

How does the Bill of Rights not protect atheists?

.

[Protostar]

Why is everyone so caught up on what religion a person has? And why does it matter what gender a person is? I could care less who gets in office so long as they do their job properly, which to uphold the Constitution of the United States. I don't care if its a transexual Satanist, if they care about upholding the Constitution and what it stands for I'm voting for them. Everyone focuses on insignificant things, like religion or race or gender, when what really matters is what the person is all about and what they will do when they get in office.

[Son of Belial]

I think that was the point, Protostar..

[Jack]

I don't care if its a transexual Satanist, if they care about upholding the Constitution and what it stands for I'm voting for them.

Now, get yourself a radio show and knock Rush back to the Stone Age. (Oh, wait, he's already there.) It's not the likes of us that you need to share this with. It's the rest of the country.

[jt1012751]

How does the Bill of Rights not protect atheists?.

The Bill of Rights does not say that their can be no laws agaisnt freedom FROM religion, but says their can be no laws agaisnt freedom of religion.

Also, I don't really care what religion a person has because I believe in seperation of church and state, but for those who do not they constitution says that athesits can be discriminated agaisnt.

I thought you might like to know. This is in the North Carolina Constitution:
The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God

[Kite]

File a lawsuit man. Make some waves in the pool. We can complain about our rights being violated all we want, but no one is going to care unless somone makes a big scene. I think that law there definatly violates separation of church and state.

[nm420]

No atheists in Washington? Tell me, with a straight face, that Dick Cheney believes in a God to whom he will have to answer come Judgment Day.

I would swear a good number of our elected representatives in the nation's capital truly are atheists, proclaiming faith in God solely for the votes such a belief would garner. Maybe some have deluded themselves into believing they believe in God, though any god which would condone their actions surely does not come from the Christian mythology. Then, some of these people attend rituals at Bohemian Grove worshipping some ancient Babylonian god, so maybe they don't count as atheists.

[Kite]

They are called pagans by the mainstream public. There arent too many of them in office either. Also, how are you supposed to prove you believe in God if you want office in NC? Is there a test or something?