American Values Alliance | Practical voice for progressive valuesAmerican Values Alliance | Practical voice for progressive valuesReverend Wright, Pastor Hagee, Pat Robertson, Billy Graham, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and on and on and on.
When did this country, founded on the principles of relgious freedom and separation of church and state become a religious state?
Was it a reaction to the "godless" communists in the 1950s? Or Reagan's inference in "the evil empire" of Russia, or the foundations of "Christian" values over everything else?
In this mindset anyone seeking the office of President of the United States cannot be a secularist. It is perhaps the worst form of bigotry and small mindedness in this country.
You could be a patriot, a vet, a public servant, a person with integrity and values, but unless you are affiliated with a a publically acceptable religion and religious institution AND religous leader you are DOOMED!!!!
We have elected a Catholic. We dallied with a Jewish VP (and I must admit I do not claim him, as I consider him a poor representatation of the thoughtful intelligent model I would prefer the Jewish people be known by). A Mormon gave it the old college try, born agains, Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians, etc etc.
But heavens no a secularist or god forbid, a humanist.....
Do not even think about agnotics and certainly any atheists would be burned at the the stake as witches......
When will this country grow up enough and feel comfortable enough with itself and its identity to NOT need religion to play such a major role in the vetting of our political leaders?
Will I see it in my lifetime? How many centuries will it take? Am I completely out of my mind?
Some have complimented the Democrats this year for being willing to discuss their faith and Barack and Hillary were willing to participate in "The Faith Forum", whatever that had to do with running our country.
Shall we reinstate the poll tax or will we need to show a card identifying our religious affiliation before we will be allowed to vote. Must it get that bad first before we swing back towards sanity?
Ray Miller's blog | login or register to post comments
I'm sure Lalita's right--same-sex marriage will be a ho-hum before we elect an atheist, and as Ray says, that's a shame.
Adherence to traditional religion has nothing to do with intellect, morality or humanity (although I do know people who would suggest there might be an INVERSE correlation!)
That said, the U.S. has gone through "Great Awakenings" before, and the frenzy has subsided, and (alert: Pollyanna observation coming)I think we are coming to the end of this particular spasm of excess piety. That's not the same thing as electing secularists, but it will be welcome!
One last comment: I'm Jewish by birth, and Joe Lieberman certainly doesn't represent most Jews! He's simply the Jewish version of a religious fanatic, a demonstration that EVERY religion (and every race, nationality, sexual orientation, etc.)has its nutcases and slimeballs.
Sheila Kennedy
Very interesting points, Ray. Sadly, studies like that from motherjones.com have shown that 52% of Americans claim they would not vote for a well-qualified atheist for president. Even with the provision prohibiting a religious test for service, some states still require a faith test (read: Christianity test) for public service or for being a witness,
...though a unanimous 1961 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Torcaso v. Watkins held that the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the federal Constitution override the state requirements.[25] The states which still have religious tests on the books include:
- Arkansas' Constitution of 1874 (Article 19, Section 1) states: "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."[26]
- North Carolina's Constitution of 1971 (Article 6, Section 8) states: "Disqualifications of office. The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God...."[27]. This was challenged and overturned by Voswinkel v. Hunt (1979).[citation needed]
- South Carolina's Constitution of 2006 (Article 6, Section 2) states: "Person denying existence of Supreme Being not to hold office. No person who denies the existence of the Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution."[28]
- Tennessee's Constitution/Bill of Rights (Article 9, Section 2) states: "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."[29]
- Texas' Constitution: The Bill of Rights (Article I, Section 4) last amended on September 13, 2003 states that an official may be "excluded from holding office" if she/he does not "acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."[30] Overturned by O'Hair v. Hill (1978-84).[citation needed]
- Maryland's Bill of Rights:[31]
- Article 36: "That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefore, no person ought by any law to be molested in his person or estate, on account of his religious persuasion, or profession, or for his religious practice, unless, under the color of religion, he shall disturb the good order, peace or safety of the State, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil or religious rights; nor ought any person to be compelled to frequent, or maintain, or contribute, unless on contract, to maintain, any place of worship, or any ministry; nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence of God, and that under His dispensation such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefore either in this world or in the world to come."
- Article 37: "That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this Constitution."
- Overturned in Torcaso v. Watkins.[32]
Ray, it'll be a long time before we elect an atheist for high office.
________
Lalita L. Amos, CRC
http://www.totalteamsolutions.com
http://totalteam.blogspot.com
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