Which US state constitutions exlude Atheists from holding public office?
There are actually quite a few states with such language in their constitution. The ones I could dig up are: Texas Tennessee South Carolina North Carolina Arkansas Maryland Pennslyvania Such a statement is plainly unconstitutional, but in most cases it has not been challenged. I think the Maryland provision has been struck down in court. Here’s exactly what Tennessee’s constitution says: ARTICLE I Declaration of Rights Section 4. That no political or religious test, other than an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of this state, shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under this state. BUT then it also says: ARTICLE IX Disqualifications 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. ****** Article 19, ยง 1 of Arkansas’s constitution provides: No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departme
