which state's constituions forbid athiests from holding a public office?

I think Texas does

Texas state constitution forbids people who do not believe in a supreme deity from holding public office. Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee contain similar passages in their state constitutions.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/texas.htm

Would it hold up under a court challenge?

the state constitutions would not stand.

I was pretty sure I knew the 1st ammendment, but I don't remember that part.

Interesting how many men signed that document who came from states that required their delegates to be believers... yet they didn't change those rules after the constitution was signed.



I agree the state policies are wrong, but they are not unconstitutional.

Article VI

All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.


This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.


The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

-snip-

Ehem ....

I don't think state offices are "under the United States"


I'll be happy to be wrong however.

Article VI

All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.


This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.


The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

Ergo: it is quite clear that this 'no religious test' clause is the 'supreme law of the land' ... and applies to ALL state executive officers ....

I am glad too

Not keep the states from doing so.

If, for instance, TX does have such language (I'm pretty sure it says "no religious test - but you do have to acknowledge a supreme being" - not sure how that makes sense), the TX constitution was written in the mid-19th century. Long after the US constitution was ratified.

Jesus Christ.


But they aren't enforced as far as I know.

They are blatantly against the US constitution.

nt

That kind of shocks me!

and to my knowledge they've only had one constiution. however I dont think they follow it, Barney Frank for example is Jewish and John Tierney according to his bio has no religious affilation making me think he's athiest or agnostic.

Massachusetts was actually the last state to abolish their state religion.

thank god for the Catholic invasion :D. Funny how they've changed.