Proposal Would Delete Anti-Atheist Clause of Arkansas Constitution

Art. 19., Sec. 1 of the Arkansas Constitution provides: "No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any court." Yesterday State Rep. Richard Carroll introduced into the Arkansas General Assembly a resolution (HJR 1009) proposing a constitutional amendment that would repeal this provision. The "Whereas" clauses in the resolution say that it is likely the existing provision violates the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and would be struck down in an appropriate court challenge. Ft. Smith City Wire reports on the proposal. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]