What about that separation of Church and State?

Fredonia Coldheart · Post by **Fredonia Coldheart** » April 13, 2004, 12:00 pm

From the Tennessee Constitution:

ARTICLE IX
Disqualifications.
Section 1. Whereas ministers of the Gospel are by their profession, dedicated
to God and the care of souls, and ought not to be diverted from the great
duties of their functions; therefore, no minister of the Gospel, or priest of any
denomination whatever, shall be eligible to a seat in either House of the Legislature.
Section 2. 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.
Section 3. Any person who shall, after the adoption of this Constitution,
fight a duel, or knowingly be the bearer of a challenge to fight a duel, or send or
accept a challenge for that purpose, or be an aider or abettor in fighting a duel,
shall be deprived of the right to hold any office of honor or profit in this state,
and shall be punished otherwise, in such manner as the Legislature may prescribe.

http://www.state.tn.us/sos/bluebook/onl ... nconst.pdf

edit: I hate spelling!

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » April 13, 2004, 12:07 pm

What's your take on it?

At first glance, it seems as if they are making sure there is a seperation between church and state. Sounds like a good thing to have in there.

Fredonia Coldheart · Post by **Fredonia Coldheart** » April 13, 2004, 12:12 pm

How is baring athiests from public office keeping the separation of Church and State?

/boggle

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » April 13, 2004, 12:12 pm

it says you have to believe in god to hold public office...not exactly a seperation.

but that being said, you'll see things like this in state constitutions and stuff. IT is one of the problems with the whole "States Rights" approach to government. It is efficient in many ways because it allows for delegation of tasks to localized bodies, but the downside is that there is a lack of central control.

i also doubt that this is something that is actively enforced, and let's say i ran for office in TN and won, then a political opponent 'outed' me as an atheist, I"m fairly sure that I could sue in Federal court to retain my position.

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » April 13, 2004, 12:51 pm

Section 4. That no political or religious test, other than an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of this state, shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under this state.

Isn't that a bit hyprocritical.

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » April 13, 2004, 12:57 pm

Logically, no - it isn't hypocritical.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » April 13, 2004, 12:59 pm

Oopps. I mis-read that. I'm thinking someone needs to go in there and do an expose on that bullshit.

archeiron · Post by **archeiron** » April 13, 2004, 1:24 pm

Have there been any ammendments to the (Tennessee) Constitution since that would repeal that article? Taken out of context, you can find many unsavory laws in most constitutions.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » April 13, 2004, 1:26 pm

So basically, you can't be an outspoken athietst. But since the oath of office isn't a religious one, as long as you keep your trap shut, there's no problem.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » April 13, 2004, 2:10 pm

There's no reason that an atheist should have to "keep his trap shut" in order to retain his job. Especially if it's a secular government job.

But Voro's right. If this has ever been enforced, I very much doubt that it ever will be again.

Metaphantasus · Post by **Metaphantasus** » April 13, 2004, 2:14 pm

I think seperation is out the window. G.W. is obviously pushing his religious views on to the rest of the country. The whole marriage thing, he wants to pass the law based on what God thinks, good luck gettin a response on that one. And that whole "And may God continue to bless America"......yes, because the Middle East is God's red-headed step child. Are you a moron damnit? That's where the origin of everything was, Moses, Jesus, all them were chillin over there. Why would God pick a favorite child (America)?

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » April 13, 2004, 2:35 pm

Sueven wrote:There's no reason that an atheist should have to "keep his trap shut" in order to retain his job. Especially if it's a secular government job.

But Voro's right. If this has ever been enforced, I very much doubt that it ever will be again.

the fact it exists at all is an insult to the ideals the country was founded on.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » April 13, 2004, 2:38 pm

Well yes, definitely.

noel · Post by **noel** » April 13, 2004, 2:40 pm

Metaphantasus wrote:I think seperation is out the window. G.W. is obviously pushing his religious views on to the rest of the country. The whole marriage thing, he wants to pass the law based on what God thinks, good luck gettin a response on that one. And that whole "And may God continue to bless America"......yes, because the Middle East is God's red-headed step child. Are you a moron damnit? That's where the origin of everything was, Moses, Jesus, all them were chillin over there. Why would God pick a favorite child (America)?

Just because it's being pushed, does not make it right by any means.

Pahreyia · Post by **Pahreyia** » April 13, 2004, 2:54 pm

Edit: Wrong topic.

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » April 13, 2004, 5:11 pm

I'm going to move to Tennessee and get a civil job, but during my oath I'll renounce the existence of God. Who am I kidding, why the fuck would I want to move to Tennessee.

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » April 13, 2004, 5:42 pm

If its there or not, how many states do you know of will elect an atheist to a higher level office like mayor/governor/senator?

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » April 13, 2004, 5:55 pm

Just the ones that lie and say they aren't

Pahreyia · Post by **Pahreyia** » April 13, 2004, 6:12 pm

sadly, my post would have made more sense in this thread....

Truant · Post by **Truant** » April 13, 2004, 6:42 pm

Dregor Thule wrote:I'm going to move to Tennessee and get a civil job, but during my oath I'll renounce the existence of God. Who am I kidding, why the fuck would I want to move to Tennessee.

For that reason alone, then I would promptly pack the fuck up and leave.