That is very disturbing. I assume none of these laws has been put to the test - I can't imagine any court would uphold them.

Some of those are probably hold-overs from long, long ago that would never be enforced, but still!

Uh, thanks for the little tease Hannah. Since we cant access the story, couldn't you be so kind as to give as a couple of little details of how?

It was just a factoid--nothing longer or more in depth than what I described.

The separation of church and state is fast becoming a myth in the nation that puts In God We Trust on all its money.

Many states also require loyalty oaths that you aren't a communist et cetera. These are obviously unconstitutional, so they may still be on the books but they can't be enforced.

I had to fill out a form to run for office once (in Illinois) and they had a section where they ask if you're a communist, but the courts made them mark that section optional. A lot of people made a point of saying, "well I don't have a problem answering that!" and fill it out nonetheless.

I think it's more annoying than disturbing. Even with Alito, I don't think we'll really be banning atheists from office any time soon.

I really do not believe this as being technically legal. Like the communist questionaire listed above, these are likely 'optional' questions. Most of these kinds of questions, asking what religion or communist history you have were mostly abolished as requirements in the 60's and 70's by the supreme court.
The feasibility of an athiest winning any national election is another matter. How many presidents are or were 'out' athiests? Zero. How many senators presently? zero. How many in the history of the US? Probably not more than a handful if at all.
It's completely innapropriate and unnaceptable in America for a politician to criticize a candidate's moralility or competancy as an elected official for their chosen faith. If someone were to say 'You sir have no right to represent our American people since you are a godless Jew who will corrupt our country with your hedonistic beliefs' they would never be a viable politician (outside of Alabama) and would likely not get more than a small fraction of the vote. What if said politician's choice of faith is a lack thereof? 'you sir have no right to represent our American people since you are a godless Athiest who will corrupt our country with your hedonistic beliefs' seems right at home in the mouths of many TV pundits, and elected officials. Am I to believe that immorality is inherant with my athiesm? I certainly don't believe that morality is inherant in religious people, I think the Bakers to the Jim Joneses of the world can prove my point there. Really, I'm just venting and I really wish that I could read that damned article.

Food for thought on dubya's daddy...

Madalyn O'Hair-

When George Bush was campaigning for the presidency, as incumbent vice president, one of his stops was in Chicago, Illinois, on August 27, 1987. At O'Hare Airport he held a formal outdoor news conference. There Robert I. Sherman, a reporter for the American Atheist news journal, fully accredited by the state of Illinois and by invitation a participating member of the press corps covering the national candidates had the following exchange with then Vice President Bush.

Sherman: What will you do to win the votes of the Americans who are atheists?

Bush: I guess I'm pretty weak in the atheist community. Faith in god is important to me.

Sherman: Surely you recognize the equal citizenship and patriotism of Americans who are atheists?

Bush: No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God.

Sherman (somewhat taken aback): Do you support as a sound constitutional principle the separation of state and church?

Bush: Yes, I support the separation of church and state. I'm just not very high on atheists.

This begs for MAJOR COURT ACTION.

Maybe we can get the righties to beat up on anthiests and ease up on queers for a few years.

A more logical match.......oh, I forgot, ignorance knowd no bounds.

I have relly never understood the issue of there is a god or there is not a god.

I am high on life and feelings and my brain and my dick and emotion and humor - and feel certain I will die.....and then........I like the mystery of it all.