Which States Ban Atheists from Holding Public Office? - Friendly Atheist
Unclear to me if this is Constitutional or not, since it involves state offices and not federal ones; also unclear if this has ever been tested in a court of law. Still…
North Carolina, Article 6, Section 8:
The following persons shall be disqualified for office:
First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.
Arkansas, Article 19, Section 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.
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Mississippi, Article 14, Section 265:
No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state.
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Maryland, Article 37:
That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this Constitution.
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South Carolina, Article 17, Section 4:
No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution.
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Tennessee, Article 9, Section 2 (PDF):
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.
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Texas, Article 1, Section 4:
No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.
