Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brent Messer on November 18, 2010 at 6:59pm

Agreed! Religion, or lack there of, has no place in any professional arena. This especially includes government offices. And if someone was fired for their lack of religion, it would be a clear violation of their constitutional rights and grounds for a good law suit.

Permalink Reply by Allison B. Wallace on May 8, 2012 at 6:12am

Unfortunately many state constitutions hold a clause that only a person with religious beliefs can hold public office. Basically in many states, atheists have no rights. Especially in political jobs.

State Constitutions that Discriminate Against Atheists

Permalink Reply by heretic on November 19, 2010 at 3:50pm

Robin, you are absolutely correct on all counts. have to say i'm with you completely.

Permalink Reply by Brent Messer on November 18, 2010 at 7:26pm

They are posted in the U.S. Constitution, in the Bill of Rights, under the 1st Amendment. You don't have to swear on a bible, you may request a non-secular swearing during court proceedings in the U.S. You don't have to pray in governmental meetings when they do. You don't have to say "under God" when reciting the pledge of allegiance. It is your right under the 1st amendment to do, or NOT do those things.

As to being fired for being an atheist, this would be simply moronic for someone to do. However, should it occur, you are protected under the first amendment and various other federal and state employment laws forbidding such an act.

Permalink Reply by Joe Running on November 19, 2010 at 2:19pm

If you are asking about swearing-in, such as a court of a law, then you are withing your rights to ask for a strictly secular oath. You must make your desire clear though.

Permalink Reply by heretic on November 19, 2010 at 3:49pm

Tonya, i don't understand your question. but,

for what it's worth, i am in the USAF and i refuse to say, 'so help me god' every few years when i re-up.
so far, nothing adverse has come of it that i know of (though you never know what bosses/colleagues say behind your back).

at least, no one has said anything to me (i'm sure they don't want any flak like the big scandal xtians caused at the AF Academy, whose general was fired, etc.). i just let the officer know in advance so it doesn't cause my ceremony to end on an unplanned note :)

as you know, US law protects americans from being fired for their religious beliefs.

i wonder if Islamic nations offer the same protections...i would bet (at least) most don't.

does anyone know if there are any western or at least so-called 'developed' nations who can fire one for his/her beliefs? what about turkey, egypt, syria, lebanon, israel, mexico, indonesia, malaysia, etc...?