Anti-Atheist Article may be Striken from State Constitution
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:02 pm
Here's an article that I wrote and posted at my blog.
An Op-Ed writer for our local paper has written an opinion piece on the bill. He rambles a bit, so I'm not sure what point he's trying to make. He also brings up the FfRF billboard campaign (which has nothing at all to do with this bill). I think he's saying that the constitution should stay as is, and that the government should take a don't ask/don't tell attitude toward atheism. I commented on the story. I'd like to see some more freethinkers from Arkansas comment as well.Check out Arkansas bill HJR 1009. This is a bill proposed to ammend the Arkansas Constitution(PDF). The amendment, if passed, will completely strike out Section 1 of Article 19.I am giddy with glee that this bill has even been tabled. If it passes, I will be qualified to be the mayor of my town. Also, I will be judged competant enough to testify in court.1. 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.
I have heard next to nothing about it in the media. I don't think there is even much oppostion to the bill. Considering that my state has just passed a law that prohibits anybody who is not a married heterosexually couple from adopting or fostering children, this bill comes as a breath of fresh air.
However, this bill is still new. I do expect there to be fierce opposition once the news gets out.