Trivia: Atheists and Agnostics cannot hold national office in Iraq.

[jody]

The current constitution of Iraq was approved by the October 15, 2005 ratification vote.

Each member of Iraq’s Council of Representatives, President, Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet shall take the Constitutional Oath, "I swear by God the Almighty to carry out my legal tasks and responsibilities devotedly and honestly and preserve the independence and sovereignty of Iraq, and safeguard the interests of its people, and watch over the safety of its land, skies, waters, resources and federal democratic system, and I shall endeavor to protect public and private liberties, the independence of the judiciary and adhere to the applications of the legislation neutrally and faithfully. God is my witness." {Article 48}

[Cha]

1. What if you pretend to like

gwankerbush in the USA?

[swag]

2. It really IS an American-style democracy! (exhibit 208)

[beam me up scottie]

3. I was thinking the exact same thing.

I wonder if Poppy Bush helped them write it.

[Hello_Kitty]

5. Hey BMUS!!

Didja see that? Great minds and all....:rofl:

[beam me up scottie]

7. Uh oh! Hide the kiddies!

It's the notorious gang of DU thugs, the Uppity Atheists! :scared:

:rofl:

[Bluebear]

6. me too! nt

[beam me up scottie]

8. Another gang member!

You can always spot them by their Hello Cthulu tatoos...

[Hello_Kitty]

9. Did everyone else ring in the New Year with goblets of babies' blood?

It sure is hard work snatchin' em out of their fundie mamas' arms but we got an image to keep up!

[beam me up scottie]

10. Well, I tried...

but the power went out here Friday and mine spoiled.

I paid my penance by knocking off a few cherubs, though, so I think I'm in the clear. :evilgrin:

[Hello_Kitty]

4. I was thinking the same thing!! LOL!! n/t

[sam sarrha]

11. same here for anyone who'd admit it in a campaign

[jonnyblitz]

13. a buddhist would probably be in the same boat unfortunately. nt

[sam sarrha]

17. if you are a Buddhist it doesnt matter what boat you are in

[beam me up scottie]

14. Actually, several states still have the

same thing written into their constitutions.

[applegrove]

12. Agnostics could. It seems.

[rzemanfl]

15. Don't some state constitutions in the U.S. contain provisions

about not holding office if you deny God exists? Could swear I read this somewhere in the past year or so.

[beam me up scottie]

16. This is from godlessgeeks.com

but they are also listed on religious tolerance.org

Arkansas State Constitution, Article 19 Section 1 ("Miscellaneous Provisions")
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.

Maryland's Declaration of Rights, Article 36
"That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefore, no person ought by any law to be molested in his person or estate, on account of his religious persuasion, or profession, or for his religious practice, unless, under the color of religion, he shall disturb the good order, peace or safety of the State, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil or religious rights; nor ought any person to be compelled to frequent, or maintain, or contribute, unless on contract, to maintain, any place of worship, or any ministry; nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence of God, and that under His dispensation such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefore either in this world or in the world to come."

Massachusetts' State Constitution, Article 3
"Any every denomination of Christians, demeaning themselves peaceably, and as good subjects of the commonwealth, shall be equally under the protection of the law: and no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another shall ever be established by law."
Comment: Apparently Non-Christians are not "equally under the protection of the law".

Mississippi State Constitution. Article 14 ("General Provisions"), Section 265
No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state.

North Carolina's State Constitution, Article 6 Section 8
"Disqualifications of office. The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God."

Pennsylvania's State Constitution, Article 1 Section 4
"No person who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth."

South Carolina's State Constitution, Article 4 Section 2
"No person shall be eligible to the office of Governor who denies the existence of the Supreme Being; ..."
Note: If you continue reading you will find that (in Section 8) the Lieutenant Governor must also meet the same qualifications as the Governor.

Tennessee's State Constitution, Article 9 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."

Texas' State Constitution, 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."


http://www.godlessgeeks.com/LINKS/StateConstitutions.htm

[rzemanfl]

22. Thanks. n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

18. Great. My tax dollars at work.

Lovely. Freedom is on the march.

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

19. Well, drat.

[handsignals4theblind]

20. GOD almighty says bless your Secular State

:toast: illegal codesmilie_remote(':toast:')---

The only freedom the ARabs want is the freedom from interference by the WEST--

[muriel_volestrangler]

21. We can hold office, we just have to misrepresent our views

but that tends to go for all politicians anyway, in practice. Unless there's a bit in the constitution that says people can be barred from office for not believing in 'God', it's just like being asked to roll up your trouser leg in a ceremony - a bit of meaningless twaddle that keeps others happy. If I were an Iraqi atheist/agnostic politician, I'd be more concerned with assassination by a religious fanatic than lying a little in my office-taking ceremony.