It's called the U.S. Constitution--which specifically prohibits religious tests for any public office or public trust.

Article VI, paragraph 3:

“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.”
_____


Please note, however, that the same Article also requires, regardless of their religious preference, that those running for president or any other office of public trust still have to sustain the Constitution.

Details, details. :)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/2012 05:34PM by steve benson.

And they better be handsome.

No uggos in the White House.

You left out rich. No Mormon or Catholic or Evangelical or Jew could do it at all without being rich beyond one's wildest dreams.

He will sustain the Constitution as it is interpreted by Monson.

The WH swimming pool will be converted for dead dunking.

No ladies allowed in the WH with bare shoulders or skirts above knee length.

No alcohol or smoking on the grounds.

It will be a fun time for all.

I'm happy with the "no religious test" clause. But I'm not happy with people interpreting that to mean that we are not supposed to question the intellectual capabilities of a person who buys into mormon hogwash.

A religious test cannot be required. That is, following (adhering to, being a member of) any specific religion cannot be required of candidates for office.

That's completely different from the idea that one cannot discuss a candidate's religious beliefs.

. . . the candidates' attitudes and actions if elected to public office--and how those attitudes and actions will either advance or impede the public good, as that good is viewed by the voter.

Religion is therefore relevant in political decision-making--and that includes religious matters involving Mormon doctrine which Romney does not want to publicly discuss.

I don't blame him. His religion is cultish, wacky, inhumane, sexist, racist, homophobic, anti-intellectaul, authoritarian out of the mainstream and presented dishonestly by Church apologists, including its highest leaders.

Romney hopes to get elected to the presidency in spite of his Mormon beliefs (the latter which he purposely misrepresents in order to falsely offer himself to Americans as a traditional Christian believer).



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/2012 11:11PM by steve benson.

Did this play any role in the Reed Smoot hearings?

There is no "religious test" but that does not mean that the people of the US can't study his religion and decide if they want someone of his belief system to run their country. Barack Obama took serious heat for his religious leader Jeremiah Wright. Mitt Romney can take his heat for his religion.

Obama resigned from Wright's church. Mittens has not resigned from the mormon church.