Is North Carolina a theocracy?

[mmonk]

As North Carolina struggles with high unemployment and a depressed economy aided by the legislature's budget cuts, they have decided to put a Constitutional amendment on the ballot box opposing same sex marriage. This follows numerous bills to post the ten commandments in public schools and political opposition to anti-bullying laws because they protect young gay and lesbian people from abuse. I have to ask whether we are a democratic republic or a theocracy like they have in the Middle East? I am reminded of the words contained in the Treaty of Tripoli written by George Washington's administration and signed into law by President John Adams which contains the words, "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion". I wonder which group of North Carolinians in the future will have their rights up for a vote on a ballot?

[Tunkamerica]

1. It's a distraction and I hope it blows up in their faces

[Turbineguy]

2. It's pretty easy to predict the future of that.

The state will get poorer but nobody will make the connection since nobody will ask, "Why did you move away?"

[mmonk]

3. My desire is to embarass my fellow North Carolinians into action.

[mmonk]

4. Not a popular topic I see.

[xchrom]

5. Welcome to lgbtiq reallity.

People like us at parties, though.

[FLAprogressive]

10. +1

[WorseBeforeBetter]

7. Did you see this in today's N&O?: "Churches speak up on gay marriage"

"The pulpit will be ground zero, it will be the tip of the spear, for leading the charge to defend and protect marriage," said Pastor Patrick Wooden of Upper Room Church of God in Christ in Raleigh, who supports the proposed constitutional amendment to ban marriage by two people of the same sex.

Pastor Richard Edens of United Church of Chapel Hill has preached against the marriage amendment. He said the topic is likely to remain a recurring theme for the next eight months. "I think there are a growing number of people who want the Constitution to reflect the inclusiveness represented in the Gospel," Edens said."

Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/09/18/1497957/churches-speak-up-on-gay-marriage.html#ixzz1YLavPhJC

I had no idea who Pastor Wooden is (or the degree of flaming asshole-ishness) until a search returned a choice Pam's House Blend blog post. I'm wondering if these threads would get better traction in the NC forum...organization between now and May 2012 is crucial.

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. Having lived here for 18 years, and having been amazed it went blue in 08 -

I think NC is a fragmented mess. You have red, rich Charlotte, a schizo triangle where progress is split by big bucks - and big swaths of bible belt ideological fear/one issue voting in between on each sides. So no clear answer - it is actually one of the wish bones being pulled in different directions.

But this week's amendment activity is just an utter embarrassment. Just drives us (as in my wife and I) deeper into our own little bubble of blue (which is our neighborhood is a house of one!)

[Creideiki]

8. Is the US a theocrazy?

Because all signs point to yes despite evidence to the contrary. And the ghosts of the Founders weep.

[jmowreader]

9. North Carolina always has been a theocracy

The preamble to their Constitution:

We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this Constitution.

Sec. 13. Religious liberty.
All persons have a natural and inalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no human authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience.

Article VI: Suffrage and Eligibility to Office
Sec. 8. Disqualifications for office.
The following persons shall be disqualified for office:
First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.

Article IX: Education
Section 1. Education encouraged.
Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools, libraries, and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.