The founding fathers of this nation, who the Christians misrepresent and use as champions for their cause, were secularists above all. They created this nation on the idea that religious bigotry would not enter our government. It is sad to see how some of our state governments have taken that beautiful vision that the founding fathers had, and twisted it, and molded it to where now that vision is nothing more than a memory.
If you live in Texas, Arkansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee and are an
atheist or an agnostic, you can not hold public office. For example, Article I Section IV of the Texas constitution states:
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.
The other states I listed all have similar clauses.
So why are atheists up in arms against the religious now days? Why is it that you can't go to Barnes and Nobles without seeing one of these "new atheism" books? Well, one reason should be clear to you by now. We are discriminated against. And it's acceptable to society. However, it is not acceptable to us. I do not oppose people who adhere to inane religious myths and irrationality holding office, but systematically keeping rationality out is too much.
I hope this bothers you. Religious or not, as an American this
should bother you. Please, please, please do something about it. Write to the legislators, protest, make some noise. Do it non-violently, but make some noise! Such laws should not continue unchecked.