Freethought & Rationalism Archive

RufusAtticus · 07-01-2002, 12:24 PM

Does anybody happen to know what states still have laws on the books prohibiting atheists from serving on juries, testifying, or holding public office?

ohwilleke · 07-01-2002, 12:44 PM

I can tell you that none of those that remain are valid.

hezekiah jones · 07-01-2002, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RufusAtticus:
Does anybody happen to know what states still have laws on the books prohibiting atheists from serving on juries, testifying, or holding public office?

I wish I could help you off the top of my head. I think Arkansas is one, Alabama maybe another. It will take you a while but all the state constitutions and statutes are available at findlaw.com.

Mark S. · 07-01-2002, 06:15 PM

I wish I knew,
but I can tell you in New York city, but, as a juror, I was not asked to swear to god...

I do not remember what the exact oath was, but I was shocked that it did not include 'god'.

I allways think it is humorous. I do not believe in god, so if I have an oath taht I swear too god that I will tell the truth, I will feel free to lie.

pug846 · 07-01-2002, 06:23 PM

In Texas you have to believe in a Supreme Being in order to run for office. It's never invoked so it's never been overturned. I think 10 or so states have similiar clauses in their state's constitution.

Jack · 07-01-2002, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RufusAtticus:
Does anybody happen to know what states still have laws on the books prohibiting atheists from serving on juries, testifying, or holding public office?

It doesn't matter, since the original US Constitution absolutely bans "religious tests" for holding office or any position of public trust under the United States.

Thus all laws requiring an oath (affirmation is the alternative) or a religious statement, are void. In any state in the Union, you can ask to affirm instead of swear and you don't have to mention "God". If this right is denied, the validity of any verdict is automatically appealable.

Jack

excreationist · 07-01-2002, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pug846:
In Texas you have to believe in a Supreme Being in order to run for office. It's never invoked so it's never been overturned. I think 10 or so states have similiar clauses in their state's constitution.

I wonder if you could say that you think you're the Supreme being... or that Elvis is, etc... what if you believe that every human is a Supreme being? Maybe there can be only one Supreme being...

Krieger · 07-01-2002, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RufusAtticus:
Does anybody happen to know what states still have laws on the books prohibiting atheists from serving on juries, testifying, or holding public office?

This <a href="http://www.nebraskaatheists.org/article1.htm" target="_blank">article</a> from the Nebraska Atheists might interest you.

[ July 01, 2002: Message edited by: Krieger ]

Amazon · 07-02-2002, 09:32 AM

Try this page:

<a href="http://users2.ev1.net/~turton/constitution.htm" target="_blank">State Constitutions Requiring Faith</a>

This site spells it all out.
Now, most people would insist that the states would have a tough time enforcing their anti-atheist laws, but that doesn't change the fact that they're still on the books.

It's shocking, really.

abe smith · 07-03-2002, 05:08 AM

SUPREMES's decision [= stare decisis] (I know not date nor the relevant ID numbers offhand >>>> Stephen Maturin?); case of *Torquaso* [sp?] unConstitutionalling once-for-all any religious test for public office.

07-01-2002, 12:24 PM	#1
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	Information wanted: Athesists can't testify Does anybody happen to know what states still have laws on the books prohibiting atheists from serving on juries, testifying, or holding public office?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-01-2002, 12:44 PM	#2
ohwilleke Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Denver, Colorado, USA Posts: 4,834	I can tell you that none of those that remain are valid.

07-01-2002, 06:15 PM	#4
Mark S. New Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York CIty/USA Posts: 4	I wish I knew, but I can tell you in New York city, but, as a juror, I was not asked to swear to god... I do not remember what the exact oath was, but I was shocked that it did not include 'god'. I allways think it is humorous. I do not believe in god, so if I have an oath taht I swear too god that I will tell the truth, I will feel free to lie.

07-01-2002, 06:23 PM	#5
pug846 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Somewhere Posts: 1,587	In Texas you have to believe in a Supreme Being in order to run for office. It's never invoked so it's never been overturned. I think 10 or so states have similiar clauses in their state's constitution.

07-02-2002, 09:32 AM	#9
Amazon Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Chicago area Posts: 210	Try this page: <a href="http://users2.ev1.net/~turton/constitution.htm" target="_blank">State Constitutions Requiring Faith</a> This site spells it all out. Now, most people would insist that the states would have a tough time enforcing their anti-atheist laws, but that doesn't change the fact that they're still on the books. It's shocking, really.

07-03-2002, 05:08 AM	#10
abe smith Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: springfield, MA. USA Posts: 2,482	SUPREMES's decision [= stare decisis] (I know not date nor the relevant ID numbers offhand >>>> Stephen Maturin?); case of Torquaso [sp?] unConstitutionalling once-for-all any religious test for public office.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.