Don't you know we are a theocracy

[Trinsie]

I believe we have people just trying to stall, cause the same thing has been shot down like 6 times before from other states.


http://www.citizen-times.com/article...ar-to-atheists

North Carolina's constitution is clear: politicians who deny the existence of God are barred from holding office.

Opponents of Cecil Bothwell are seizing on that law to argue he should not be seated as a City Council member today, even though federal courts have ruled religious tests for public office are unlawful under the U.S. Constitution.

Voters elected the writer and builder to the council last month.

“I'm not saying that Cecil Bothwell is not a good man, but if he's an atheist, he's not eligible to serve in public office, according to the state constitution,” said H.K. Edgerton, a former Asheville NAACP president.

Article 6, section 8 of the state constitution says: “The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.”

Rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution trump the restriction in the state constitution, said Bob Orr, executive director of the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law.

“I think there's any number of federal cases that would view this as an imposition of a religious qualification and violate separation of church and state,” said Orr, a former state Supreme Court justice.

In 1961, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Maryland's requirement for officials to declare belief in God violated the freedom of religion guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Additionally, Article VI of the U.S. Constitution says: “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

Bothwell's campaign treasurer, Jake Quinn, said everyone should be entitled to their own beliefs.

“The test occurred on (Nov. 3),” Quinn said. “It was called an election.”

Fliers mailed before the election criticized Bothwell over his atheism and his book, “The Prince of War,” which denounces evangelist and Montreat resident the Rev. Billy Graham for pushing what Bothwell says is a theocratic agenda.

Now, denizens of Internet message boards and the blogosphere are arguing over whether he can legally serve.

ASHEVILLE — North Carolina's constitution is clear: politicians who deny the existence of God are barred from holding office.

Opponents of Cecil Bothwell are seizing on that law to argue he should not be seated as a City Council member today, even though federal courts have ruled religious tests for public office are unlawful under the U.S. Constitution.

Voters elected the writer and builder to the council last month.

“I'm not saying that Cecil Bothwell is not a good man, but if he's an atheist, he's not eligible to serve in public office, according to the state constitution,” said H.K. Edgerton, a former Asheville NAACP president.

Article 6, section 8 of the state constitution says: “The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.”

Rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution trump the restriction in the state constitution, said Bob Orr, executive director of the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law.

“I think there's any number of federal cases that would view this as an imposition of a religious qualification and violate separation of church and state,” said Orr, a former state Supreme Court justice.

In 1961, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Maryland's requirement for officials to declare belief in God violated the freedom of religion guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Additionally, Article VI of the U.S. Constitution says: “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

Bothwell's campaign treasurer, Jake Quinn, said everyone should be entitled to their own beliefs.

“The test occurred on (Nov. 3),” Quinn said. “It was called an election.”

Fliers mailed before the election criticized Bothwell over his atheism and his book, “The Prince of War,” which denounces evangelist and Montreat resident the Rev. Billy Graham for pushing what Bothwell says is a theocratic agenda.

Now, denizens of Internet message boards and the blogosphere are arguing over whether he can legally serve.
(2 of 2)

Edgerton said City Council should hold off swearing Bothwell into office until a constitutional question can be resolved.

“If they go ahead, then the city of Asheville and the board of elections could be liable for a lawsuit,” said Edgerton, who is known for promoting “Southern heritage” by standing on streets decked out in a Confederate soldier's uniform and holding a Confederate flag.

Bothwell didn't respond Monday to requests for an interview, but he wrote in an e-mail to the Citizen-Times: “I am not ‘an avowed atheist.'”

He has told the Citizen-Times in the past he believes in the Golden Rule, not a deity.

Bothwell labels himself an atheist on his MySpace page, though he wrote in an online post last week on fellow incoming councilman Gordon Smith's blog, Scrutiny Hooligans, that he prefers the term “post-theist.”

Bothwell added: “I don't ‘deny the being of Almighty God;' I simply consider the question of denial or acceptance irrelevant.

“Could make for a very interesting court case, seems to me.”

[Qalbert]

This wouldn't have happened if he had a God.

[Conformity]

If you dont accept jesus you cant gitoutttt!

[Ksandra]

shit's retarded. Yet another reason why NC fails and gives Christians a terrible name.

[Mizango]

shit's retarded. Yet another reason why NC fails and gives Christians a terrible name.

Personal attacks. To be fair, Jesús and his merry band of mariachi gave you a bad name from the jump.

[Senoska]

Personal attacks. To be fair, Jesús and his merry band of mariachi gave you a bad name from the jump.

Miz be nimble, Miz be quick, Miz jump over the candlestick

[Ksandra]

Just admit it miz, you are the only good thing to come out of NC.

[_chuchu]

Miz be nimble, Miz be quick, Miz jump over the candlestick

Ain't no black people jumping anywhere near a fire

[Senoska]

Broomstick, then?

[liggy 0]

Broomstick, then?

sounds like a trap to me

[Acturus]

This wouldn't have happened if he had a God.

http://images.icanhascheezburger.com...7146181999.jpg

[Kaylia]

Article 6, section 8 of the state constitution says: “The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.”

I'm fine with this, as long there is a 2nd line that say "any person who confirm the existence of Almighty God".

[Max™]

I am offended they do not mention toting The Hammer on our yearly pilgrimage to smite the heathens who are not afraid of Thor!

http://static.rcgroups.com/forums/at...r%20hammer.jpg

>

http://sonnietrotter.com/wp-content/...009/04/god.gif

[Devolver]

Just admit it miz, you are the only good thing to come out of NC.

Lies

http://www.bevreview.com/wp-content/image_sundrop1.jpg

Shit just got real.

[Not Kuno]

Just admit it miz, you are the only good thing to come out of NC.

Your words hurt me Ksandra.

[Mizango]

Much love baby girl <3

[_chuchu]

Just admit it miz, you are the only good thing to come out of NC.

Miz is just a King that has been Hiding in a Valley for quite some time.

[MrW]

This is Miz's chance to run for office. He's got support already and hasn't asked for a dollar. Popeye's on me, yo.

[_chuchu]

This is Miz's chance to run for office. He's got support already and hasn't asked for a dollar. Popeye's on me, yo.

and Bojangles

[Mizango]

This is Miz's chance to run for office. He's got support already and hasn't asked for a dollar. Popeye's on me, yo.

That's whats up.

and Bojangles

Straight the fuck up. Give me a cup of cheerwine on the side and we're set.