So much for respecting belief and not saying the pledge

[Az]

Too old for LBN.

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=1077FDDD60626A0A&p_docnum=6&p_theme=gannett&s_site=news-press&p_product=FMNB

Cape Coral businessman Frank Antos Jr. made the District 6 city council race a three-way contest Wednesday by filing campaign account information with the city clerk's office.

The District 1 race also became a three-way race this week with the addition of resident Adrienne Jenkins. Both races now require a March 1 primary, as does the mayor's race. The general election is April 5. The week-long formal qualifying period begins Monday.

Meanwhile, the gloves came off in the District 6 race, where incumbent Tim Day attacked challenger Tom Clark's patriotism and refusal to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Clark doesn't say the pledge and won't salute the flag, Day said.

"I can't let that go," said Day, who added he intends to make campaign issues out of Clark's beliefs.

Clark, a self-proclaimed atheist, said he sees the pledge as a prayer and noted that he was a volunteer in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He would stand and salute for the national anthem, he said.

Clark also was targeted by City Councilman Paul Asfour, who doesn't think Clark should give the invocation as scheduled before next Monday's city council meeting. An invocation should be a prayer and not an opportunity for political gain, Asfour said.

Clark said the furor was petty politics.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

1. it is near impossible for atheists/agnostics to be open

about what they believe and still make it into an elected office.

i wish him the best of luck.

[goddess40]

2. But it's the Christians that are so persecuted.

I understand that in some states atheists are unable to legally hold public office.

[Caution]

5. There are currently 8 states with laws on the book disallowing atheists

to hold public office.

But no we aren't discriminated against or anything.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

6. nope not a bit. eom

:eyes:

[Dhalgren]

3. Atheists truly are discriminated against,

but the religionists refuse to see it. My Christan mother was complaining the other day about how Christians are persecuted in this country! Talk about living in a fantasy world!

[SheepyMcSheepster]

4. indeed. i feel we are still very far away from a society that is tolerant

of non-religious people.