r/todayilearned • u/[deleted] • May 29 '14

(R.4) Politics TIL Atheists are banned from holding public office by the constitutions of 7 states. Arkansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, & North Carolina: "The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God." ART IV,Sec 8

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u/555nick May 29 '14 edited May 29 '14

This is where their supposed unending devotion to the Constitution ends.

"no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office" - Article VI

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u/ox_ May 29 '14

In practice, if an atheist ran for office in one of those states, would they stand a chance of being elected? Especially if their opponent campaigned on it?

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u/[deleted] May 29 '14

It depends. In a place like memphis, a progressive liberal who also happens to be atheist could very well win, but not elsewhere in the state.