[Chattanooga Tennessee] Mayoral candidate Ron Littlefield today denied his campaign is behind a flier referring to candidate Ann Coulter [no, not that one] as an atheist. But Ms. Coulter told the Pachyderm Club that she is "absolutely certain beyond a shadow of a doubt" that he is behind it.
[It is commonly held that by announcing one is an atheist, one ruins one's chances for holding public office. But there are seven states that go one important step further and forbid atheists from holding public office. Tennessee is one of them. Article 9 Section 2 of Tennessee's State Constitution states "No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state." Many states include the swearing of a religous oath to hold public office. I suggest the flyer was anonymous because to openly try to enforce this religous test for public office would make it possible for the law to be struck down.
South Carolina's state constitution formerly said "No person shall be eligible for the office of governor who denies the existence of the Supreme Being" (note that this isn't about 'a' Supreme Being, but 'the' Supreme Being' - now who could that be?) In the period 1991-1993, South Carolina received 33,472 notary applications and approved 33,471 - all but that of atheist Herb Silverman, who crossed out "so help me God" on the application form. It took four years in the courts, but the law was struck down. Whether or not Ann Coulter is an atheist, it is time someone challenged this unconstitutional law in the state of Tennessee. I do not advocate any legislation to increase popular opinion of atheists; popular opinion changes through other means. But I do advocate a lack of discrimination against atheits in law.]
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