American Atheists Denounces Sen John Kennedys Religious Test for Biden Nominee American Atheists

Added on August 17th, 2021 by tiki bot | Report Post
Tags:Politics, Religion

Cranford, NJ—On Wednesday, during a Senate Judiciary confirmation hearing, Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) demanded to know whether Hampton Dellinger, Joe Biden’s nominee to head the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Policy, is an atheist. “Do you believe in God?” Kennedy asked Dellinger, as he interrogated him about his position on abortion. In response, Nick Fish, president of American Atheists, released the following statement: A senator demanding to know whether a nominee believes in gods is a disquieting attack on the tens of millions of Americans who, in fact, do not. Sen. Kennedy’s apparent suggestion that only religious Americans are qualified to serve as government officials is the definition of religious discrimination, plain and simple. Regardless of Mr. Dellinger’s beliefs, Sen. Kennedy’s question was outrageous and plainly unconstitutional. Just as troubling is the hypocrisy of Sen. Kennedy’s conscious choice to question a nominee’s religious beliefs given his statements during the confirmation hearings of now-Justice Amy Coney Barrett. “I know it must hurt … to have it implied that because you are a devout Christian that you’re somehow unfit for public service,” Kennedy said to her. Mr. Dellinger deserves a sincere apology for being grilled about his religious beliefs, something that in no way would impact his ability to lead the Office of Legal Policy at the Department of Justice. If Sen. Kennedy can’t even muster that modicum of respect, it will demonstrate just how hollow and self-serving his professed concerns for religious freedom are and that he believes in discrimination against anyone who isn’t Christian. Article VI, Section 3 of the United States Constitution says, in part, “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

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Old Tofu (#179650)

2 years ago

questions the integrity of non religious people . . . shows his own lack of integrity with the questions he asks people

Bolthorn (#6297)

2 years ago

A surprising amount of Christians don’t follow the teachings of their own savior. Well, not all that surprising really. Any excuse for them to get their hate on and have a vague justification for it fits these people just fine.

FullofStars (#3921)

2 years ago

Why does this Senator hate the Constitution? He’s a Senator and he hates the Constituiton?

“The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”