Ethics

Ashville, Please Join Us in the 21st Century

By Ed Brayton

An openly atheist candidate has actually been elected to office, and in Asheville, North Carolina of all places. Cecil Bothwell was elected a few weeks ago to the Asheville City Council. Unfortunately, some of his opponents are still stuck in the 18th century and think that he can't serve as a result.

North Carolina's constitution is clear: politicians who deny the existence of God are barred from holding office.

Opponents of Cecil Bothwell are seizing on that law to argue he should not be seated as a City Council member today, even though federal courts have ruled religious tests for public office are unlawful under the U.S. Constitution.

Full post as published by Dispatches from the Culture Wars on December 11, 2009 (boomark / email).