Atheism in America

[enders_shadow]

So, I know, I know, atheism is just something that middle or upper-middle class white folks have the luxury of thinking about and it's really just a #firstworldproblem that we atheists should be all too happy to have, right

Comments

[ford_prefect42]

You're aware that the reading of the 14th that you're advocating here is quite recent, yes? I believe that the first serious application of it was loving v. virginia in 1967

The recent 2nd amendment decision in chicago being a prime example. Quite frequently, laws are tested on the grounds of those readings, and get struck. So it's still quite possible that an elected official "coming out" as an athiest would have his/her position stripped pending the challenge.

It's also worth noting that the 14th has not been tested against state *constitutions*, which hold greater force than law. We'll probably see that challenge soon over the recent north carolina same sex marriage amendment.

[ford_prefect42]

Right, but actually, that would argue that it *is* worthwhile to strip the laws, because what the scotus does, the scotus can undo. Particularly in the case of a reading that is still developing practically weekly. The chicago 2nd amendment case was last year!

What I am finding more interesting is the concept that there needs to be an agency specifically responsible for determining which laws are unreasonably antiquated, have been superceded, or are just dumb, but still on the books.

It has long been my position that all laws should sunset every alternate year, and that no law may be voted on unless it has been read in it's entirety on the floor of the voting body, furthermore, that no person may vote on said laws unless they were present for 90+% of the reading.

[ford_prefect42]

fair point then.