Is being a Atheist a civil right ?
Posted on: August 21, 2009 - 6:22am
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Is being a Atheist a civil right ?
Well I would think that holding a public office is a civil right,but as we all know,a Atheist don't have a chance in hell to hold office,and in many states you not picked for jury duty if your a Atheist (not that most people would want to serve)but it's still a civil right. www.daylightatheism.org/2007/07/atheism-is-a-civil-rights-issue.html
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I hate it when people slaughter basic civics. YOU have no right to public office, no one does. You don't automatically get an office just because you want one.
YOU, like every citizen have the right to compete for an office. YOU have the right to fill out the paperwork to apply to run for office. Once in office, if you convince enough people to elect you, you have the right to appoint any legal citizen who meets the constitutional requirements to your cabinet.
WHAT IS PROTECTED by the Constitution is the right to compete for political power. There is no garuntee or quota system. If you want the office you compete for it.
If atheists want this barrier broken, just like it has been for blacks, Catholics and even gays, is not to demand that someone be given an office "just because", it is up to us to convince the public it is ok to vote for us. We are no different than any other minority that struggled for acceptance.
THE CONSTITUTION protects our right to compete, but it is up to us to compete.
"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers."Obama
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Atheism is most certainly not a civil right. It is a civil liberty. It is a categorical mistake to place atheism in the same vein as feminism, gay rights, African American rights, Latino rights or Native American rights. Atheism is not an identity. There are many ideas (both good and bad) to which an individual upholds that bars that person from say public office. For example, if an individual openly accepts a Marxist ideology, he/she will not be able to hold public office. Should we therefore have civil rights for Marxists in this regard?
Also, if an atheist wants the highest office in the land, why not just remain hush about it or even lie. Once he/she is in office, towards the end of the term then openly tell everyone "I am an atheist, so piss off!!"
I did not say that you automatically get a office just because you want one.I said that holding a public office is a civil right,and the chances that you will be elected are almost zilch if your an atheist.YOU have a better chance if your gay or black.Atheist are the most hated minority in the USA.Most people trust a felon(if he /she found Jesus) over an atheist.
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Like I reply to Brian37,I didn't say that Atheism is a civil right, I simply said that being a Atheist should not be an impairment to hold office.And I do believe that if your a Marxist you should have civil rights.
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You are elected because a majority of your constituents want you to represent their interests.
Atheists are a fairly small, often hated group, especially in some geographic areas. I don't see why it is a problem that we have difficulty being elected, honestly...we do not represent the majority of Americans. Why would they want one of us to lead them?
Either religion in the U.S. needs to decline, or awareness and acceptance of atheism needs to increase, or both. But there is nothing wrong with the "system", and no civil rights violation. Things are working exactly like they are supposed to. KKK members would have a hard time being voted for too, and that is as it should be.
And besides, there are some atheist politicians. No windmills to tilt at here.
What you *can* do, is get upset that we are often made out to be evil by theists, and be a positive activist in that regard!
Everything makes more sense now that I've stopped believing.
Oh geez, thinking about that scenario just totally cracked me up. Beautiful.
--ed to.KKK members would have a hard time being voted for too,and that is as it should be.
O'so your comparing Atheist with the KKK.That makes sense -NOT.
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Why not? Both groups are un-popular because of what they believe, and so are not very electable.
Granted, it is a little hyperbole...but ask someone in the deep south who they would vote for, a Klan member or an Atheist...you might be surprised. Or disgusted.
Everything makes more sense now that I've stopped believing.
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