Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court  (Read 1802 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Eric P

  • I DESERVE the gold. I will GET the gold!
  • Icon
Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« on: February 20, 2009, 11:56:01 AM »
Quote
Atheist Revival in Arkansas

Hard to say what was more remarkable about the resolution that was read into the record and referred to committee Wednesday by a member of the 87th Arkansas General Assembly.

The resolution itself: HJR 1009: AMENDING THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION TO REPEAL THE PROHIBITION AGAINST AN ATHEIST HOLDING ANY OFFICE IN THE CIVIL DEPARTMENTS OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS OR TESTIFYING AS A WITNESS IN ANY COURT.

Or the fact that it was submitted by the Green Party's highest-ranking elected official in America, state Rep. Richard Carroll of North Little Rock, who was elected in November winning more than 80 percent of the vote in his district.

Arkansas is one of half a dozen states that still exclude non-believers from public office. Article 19 Section 1 of the 1874 Arkansas Constitution states that "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."

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled all such state provisions unconstitutional and unenforceable in a 1961 ruling in a Maryland case: "We repeat and again reaffirm that neither a State nor the Federal Government can constitutionally force a person 'to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion.'"

Carroll is merely trying to do some symbolic constitutional housecleaning, but it won't be easy.

In 2005, state Rep. Buddy Blair filed a resolution to affirm Arkansas' support for the separation of church and state. The resolution lost 39-44 in the House.

And last month, Rep. Lindsley Smith offered a resolution to declare Jan. 29 at Thomas Paine Day in Arkansas.

"I consider myself a very religious person," Smith told the committee considering her bill to designate Jan. 29 as Thomas Paine Day in Arkansas. Paine, the colonial patriot who wrote "Common Sense," a pamphlet that built support for the American Revolution. Paine also was a Deist who believed in God but not religion.

The proposal died in committee, even after Smith assured her colleagues that she was not an atheist. Which they would have known if they'd read the state constitution.

Meanwhile, in a related story, the Arkansas House passed a bill Wednesday allowing people to bring their guns to church.

"Due to many shootings that have happened in our churches across our nation, it is time we changed our concealed handgun law to allow law-abiding citizens of the state of Arkansas the right to defend themselves and others should a situation happen in one of our churches," said state Rep. Beverly Pyle.

The bill doesn't say whether atheists can bring guns to church.


http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2009/02/an_advocate_for_atheists_in_ar.html
Logged
Tonya

The Fake Shemp

  • Ebola Carrier
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2009, 12:02:52 PM »
To be fair, they won't swear to God!
Logged
PSP

Madrun Badrun

  • twin-anused mascot
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2009, 12:03:00 PM »
"The U.S. Supreme Court ruled all such state provisions unconstitutional and unenforceable in a 1961 ruling in a Maryland case: "We repeat and again reaffirm that neither a State nor the Federal Government can constitutionally force a person 'to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion.'""


So basically it's just for show then?  Both things are horrible distinguished mentally-challenged.
Logged

The Fake Shemp

  • Ebola Carrier
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2009, 12:05:19 PM »
If it's the Old Testament :smug
Logged
PSP

Madrun Badrun

  • twin-anused mascot
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2009, 12:06:06 PM »
Quote from: Kosma on February 20, 2009, 12:03:07 PM

Can a jew swear to a Christian bible?  :smug

Do they make people swear on different books depending on the religion?  Malek is swear on a bible done in canada?  it isn't is it.
Logged

Robo

  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2009, 12:37:09 PM »
Quote
The bill doesn't say whether atheists can bring guns to church.

 :lol
Logged
obo

Tauntaun

  • I'm cute, you should be too.
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2009, 12:55:06 PM »
Quote from: RoboJ on February 20, 2009, 12:37:09 PM
Quote
The bill doesn't say whether atheists can bring guns to church. :smug

 :lol

:lol  smh


spoiler (click to show/hide)
:'(
[close]
Logged
:)

Flannel Boy

  • classic millennial sex pickle
  • Icon
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2009, 01:56:03 PM »
Quote from: Father_Mike on February 20, 2009, 12:06:06 PM
Quote from: Kosma on February 20, 2009, 12:03:07 PM

Can a jew swear to a Christian bible?  :smug

Do they make people swear on different books depending on the religion?  Malek is swear on a bible done in canada?  it isn't is it.

It's optional, even for the Canadian Oath of Allegiance. You can simply affirm what you say is true.

But swearing on the parchment made out of dead fetus skin is not optional.

FEAR US AMERICA! FEAR YOUR SECULAR NEIGHBORS
Logged

Brehvolution

  • Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside.
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2009, 02:10:16 PM »
Why do you need a gun if your god is supposed to protect you. Maybe it's god's will that you be gunned down today.
Logged
©ZH

EmCeeGrammar

  • Casted Flamebait lvl. 3
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2009, 02:28:42 PM »
I live in Arkansas. I guess if I'm ever summoned to be a witness I can claim its illegal for me to testify. A win for me.
Logged
sad

drew

  • sy
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in cour
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2009, 08:40:53 PM »
Quote from: Zero Hero on February 20, 2009, 02:10:16 PM
Why do you need a gun if your god is supposed to protect you. Maybe it's god's will that you be gunned down today.

ever hear of free will? 

yeah.
Logged

Brehvolution

  • Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside.
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2009, 10:26:28 PM »
My free will has never involved thinking I need a gun.
Logged
©ZH

xnikki118x

  • Hanson Defense Force
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2009, 02:08:55 AM »
Wow, this is pretty ridiculous. What other states are doing it? I know Arkansas is full of a bunch of weirdos (sorry!) but are there normal states involved in this too?
Logged
:-*

EmCeeGrammar

  • Casted Flamebait lvl. 3
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2009, 05:24:22 AM »
Hey now,
At least we're better than Mississippi!
Logged
sad

FlameOfCallandor

  • The Walking Dead
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2009, 10:32:15 AM »
Quote from: Zero Hero on February 20, 2009, 10:26:28 PM
My free will has never involved thinking I need a gun.


Thats because your free will has never truly been threatened.
Logged

dammitmattt

  • Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in cour
« Reply #15 on: February 21, 2009, 10:54:01 AM »
Quote from: xnikki118x on February 21, 2009, 02:08:55 AM
Wow, this is pretty ridiculous. What other states are doing it? I know Arkansas is full of a bunch of weirdos (sorry!) but are there normal states involved in this too?

Every fucking state is filled with a bunch of weirdos.  EVERY STATE.
Logged

xnikki118x

  • Hanson Defense Force
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #16 on: February 22, 2009, 01:02:25 AM »
Quote from: dammitmattt on February 21, 2009, 10:54:01 AM
Quote from: xnikki118x on February 21, 2009, 02:08:55 AM
Wow, this is pretty ridiculous. What other states are doing it? I know Arkansas is full of a bunch of weirdos (sorry!) but are there normal states involved in this too?

Every fucking state is filled with a bunch of weirdos.  EVERY STATE.

This is very true. There just seems to be a higher percentage of weirdos in the deep south...but then again, it does depend on what kind of weirdos we're talking about.
Logged
:-*

Van Cruncheon

  • live mas or die trying
  • Banned
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #17 on: February 22, 2009, 01:45:16 AM »
Quote from: FlameOfCallandor on February 21, 2009, 10:32:15 AM
Quote from: Zero Hero on February 20, 2009, 10:26:28 PM
My free will has never involved thinking I need a gun.


Thats because your free will has never truly been threatened.

nor has yours, doofus
Logged
duc

Phoenix Dark

  • I got no game it's just some bitches understand my story
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #18 on: February 22, 2009, 01:50:13 AM »
Quote from: Professor Prole on February 22, 2009, 01:45:16 AM
Quote from: FlameOfCallandor on February 21, 2009, 10:32:15 AM
Quote from: Zero Hero on February 20, 2009, 10:26:28 PM
My free will has never involved thinking I need a gun.


Thats because your free will has never truly been threatened.

nor has yours, doofus

seems like the type who leaves the door unlocked, praying for someone to walk in so he can get ta blastin'

Pussy, move to the hood
Logged
010

clothedmacuser

  • Defender of Centrist Scum
  • Senior Member
Re: Arkansas 5 other states ban Athiests from Public Service, testifying in court
« Reply #19 on: February 22, 2009, 02:43:46 AM »
Quote from: Father_Mike on February 20, 2009, 12:06:06 PM
Quote from: Kosma on February 20, 2009, 12:03:07 PM

Can a jew swear to a Christian bible?  :smug

Do they make people swear on different books depending on the religion?  Malek is swear on a bible done in canada?  it isn't is it.

There is an alternate oath you read which says you trust the court or something.  Most people just read the Jesusy one because it makes them sound more innocent and less of a devil-whore.
Logged
sigh
Pages: [1]