No Joke: Eight States’ Constitutions Bar Atheists From Public Office. Can you guess which ones? In some twisted thinking some states will not allow you to testify in court unless you are a believer of supernatural beliefs ! [patheos.com]
i knew about the states but i thought courts would allow affirmation instead of swearing on a bible.
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According to the article most due but a few don't even though it's been tested by the supreme court.
I do not think most court have babbles lying around anymore, nor do people get asked to swear on it...a simple affirmation that you intend to tell the truth is all that is needed. Facts?
Maybe so. I was on jury duty a couple months ago and I believe we just raised our hand. I guess that's a step in the right direction.
As the article points out, these provisions are unenforceable due to them being unconstitutional.
Many states also have laws criminalizing things like spitting chewing tobacco into something other than a spittoon. These laws aren't enforced because they aren't relevant anymore.
In theory, states should clean these things up and keep a tidier legal house, but that they don't, is arguably no more remarkable than that people have messy desks. I don't know that I want the FFRF or ACLU expending resources to remove laws from the books that aren't enforced or enforceable.
Can't speak from personal experience. Just read the article.