The eight states in the U.S. that prohibit atheists from holding any public office.
Thursday, 13 Mar 2025
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I’m guessing that these would be called “blue laws” — which is to say, laws that can’t be enforced anymore but have never been formally removed from the state’s law books.
The Supreme Court ruled these laws unconstitutional in 1961 in [Torcaso v. Watkins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torcaso_v._Watkins).
These laws are not enforced
I thought state and church were supposed to be separated?
Yes, atheists are allowed to hold public office in Pennsylvania. While the Pennsylvania state constitution (Article 1, Section 4) includes outdated language requiring belief in God for public officials, this provision is unenforceable. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Torcaso v. Watkins (1961) that religious tests for public office are unconstitutional under the First Amendment. Therefore, atheists can legally hold public office in Pennsylvania.
Texas Constitution
Article 1
Sec. 4. RELIGIOUS TESTS. 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.**
(Feb. 15, 1876.)
Wowzers.
This was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1961 in Torasco v. Watkins. Though that does not actually change the wording of the state constitution, it just makes it an unenforceable provision because it conflicts with the US Constitution.
Stop pulling shit from ‘Amazing Maps’ FB page without fact checking…
This is highly unconstitutional. No self respecting court would ever hold such stupid laws.
So fucking backwards. It should almost be mandatory IMO. Religion has absolutely no place in schools or politics. Nothing good ever comes from it.
If still on the books, they are reflections of the past. No state has enforced this for many many many years.
Oh Texas, where in 2025 they’re having a measles outbreak.
Thats why these green states have so many fake christians. Too bad they arent atheists because those are some of the most christian-like people Ive ever met
That’s fucked up.
Just run as a nihilist. Not like it matters.
Had no idea this was a thing 😕
Ahhh. The poor ones with bad education.
Fuckin PA. why are there so many hillbillies here.
I mean…our politicians in Texas say they are Christians and they worship money and get a high from other people’s misery.
Growing up, my family wasn’t religious. I really thought nothing of it. Like people who are Christian or Muslim or Hindu or whatever… it’s just what my family was.
I was absolutely stunned as a teenager to learn not only do people dislike atheists, but they *despise* atheists. And then there is shit like this, which honestly seems flatly unconstitutional.
How is that legal?
Disgusting.
‘Merica F Ya! The blind leading the blind….
Lol. Freedom of religion, but you better have a religion.
So is it just atheists that are banned? Would a Servant of Cthulhu be okay?
Asking for a friend.
Those laws are not Constitutionally legal, not that I trust SCOTUS to actually enforce that anymore
Texas has an odd one.
>Sec. 4. RELIGIOUS TESTS. 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.
I read this as you don’t necessarily have to have a religious belief in a Supreme Being, but a complete lack of belief in one makes you too wacky to be in public office.
Commie anti-freedom states
not enforced. PA i live in and there are definitely atheists in public office right now.
Shitholes.
And that’s why Christians Persecution fetish is only just that, a fetish. They love to be the victim when they actively discriminate against others.
K. How ‘bout satanists though?
🤦🏻♀️
Freedom of religion is : you can practice any religion or not practice a religion. It’s in constitution which is supreme law of the land. Period.
People who believe in sky daddy shouldn’t be able to hold public office. LOL
That’s against the Constitution! Those states need to be punished for that!! Cut off federal funding until they come into the 2000s instead of the stone age.
What happens in those states if an atheist is being sworn in to take the stand for a trial and they tell the judge they don’t believe in God, therefore they cannot honestly say *”So help me, God”*?
But, that’s against the first amendment and goes against the separation of church and state that the USA was built on
why is this even a thing
a person’s religious beliefs have exactly zero to do with their governing ability smh