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MINIPOLL

In Kentucky, You Can Get a Year's Prison for Atheism

Homeland Security law requires a statement of 'reliance upon almighty God'

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by Mary Noble

Senior Editor t

Image: inquisitr.com

Kentucky's atheists are mounting a Supreme Court challenge to a law they say threatens non-believers with a year in jail.

The law, passed in 2006, requires Homeland Security offices to post signs - like this notice - announcing that: "the safety and security of the commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God." Failure to do so can be penalized with up to 12 months in prison, according to Louisville Judge Ann O'Malley Shake.

American Atheists, who are bringing the case, claim that the law is a "misguided push to improperly mix religion and government," and therefore violates the constitution. In similar cases, SCOTUS ruled in 1980 and 2005 that the Ten Commandments couldn't be displayed in official contexts in Kentucky.

The law was passed in the wake of 9/11, sponsored by State Rep. Tom Riner, a Baptist minister - who also led Kentucky's failed push to display the Ten Commandments in public buildings.

Via Alternet, the Louisville Journal-Courier, and Kentucky.com.
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Is is reasonable for Kentucky to require this statement of "reliance on God," or is it unconstitutional?

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Comments (view in Forum)

  • Real4WheelDrv
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    In this instance, where government is DIRECTLY mixing itself in with religion...unconstitutional. This is a far cry from voting for a President or representative based on beliefs founded in religion.
  • Real4WheelDrv
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    @Cool_voter The difference is, those things only establish a framework. The average citizen only thinks about them when they are pointed out. I'm willing to bet you don't think "That'll be 5 Jesus Dollars" every time you pump gas or buy groceries. But an actual posted notice with prison time as a penalty for THINKING differently? Uh uh.
  • Real4WheelDrv
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    @martydotcom Actually, if you read the news story the article references that's a good point. One of the supporting opinions stated that even though Christians refer to their God as God...God is still a generic term for a male deity. Now, if anyone should be offended it's Wiccans since Goddess wasn't included. :)
  • View all 9 replies >
  • wild_turkey6
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    I agree with this. I made mention in a below comment about how I can't find any reference to the 12 month penalty outside the dissenting judge's opinion.
    However, what this law did was require the KY Department of Homeland Security to reference that security can only come from God. This is part of the required training for state emergency management employees. That is where I see the line being crossed.
    I have linked an article that gives a better history and explanation as to why this is unconstitutional. http://clcablog.wordpress.com/
  • Bobolinsky
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    @wild_turkey6-- I'm not contesting that it's unconstitutional. I'm saying that the knee-jerk inference is that Kentucky is scooping up atheists and throwing them in jail.
  • wild_turkey6
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    @Bobolinsky I know. That is what I was referring to also. I saw the alternet article on Reddit a few days ago. Most of the comments there were also about how misleading the headline was. I just added the other for a little context.
  • View all 6 replies >
  • u
    Blessed
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    Great news! When all the christians read this, they will move to KY and the Atheist will move elsewhere. I will stay put and rest easy knowing KY will then become one of the best and safest states to live in.
  • u
    MIDutch
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    Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's pretty widely known that Christians commit more crime than atheists do. So if you're really looking for a safe place to live, go live where all the atheists are.
  • u
    Faceman
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    @MIDutch the only reason the numbers say that christians commit more crimes than atheists is because there is more people that know god and christ exist than believe otherwise.1 thing about it though,at least a christian that has back slid and went down the wrong path will eventually ask the lord for forgiveness and change their ways but an atheist dont care,they will continue to rob kill rape and lie thinking that when they die they wont suffer the consquinsess but we all know believe it or not there is a heaven and hell and only true believers will get into heaven all others will be residents of hell
  • jessejaymes
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    @Faceman Amazingly enough I am an atheist who is over 60, never been arrested, never robbed or raped anyone, never burglarized anyone, never killed anyone except while wearing the uniform of my country (not positive that even happened), never conned anyone (although I did try with a couple of hotties as a teenager but it didn't work). It is further my belief that if there is a hell the first in line will the the hypocritical of the Christian Right American Taliban.
  • jamie91
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    @Faceman actually no, the criminality in Christian people is disproportional to their population. If it was just because there were more Christians than it would reflect the percentage in society not be higher.
  • View all 16 replies >
  • u
    Synthesis
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    You seem completely out of the loop on amendment affairs... In a Supreme court case Butler vs. (something) it was ruled that the amendments didn't apply to states, but, over time they have been incorporated. The only one I know that isn't is the 2nd amendment, so states could potentially ban guns if they wanted. And don't bring up Heller vs DC, they specifically did not incorporate it.
  • DARSB
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    If I'm reading this right atheists aren't the only at risk group - pantheists like Hindus and animists like native Americans would also have trouble with the one god rule.
  • PoliticalSpice
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    Personally I have no issue with it, but constitutionally, I am shocked so few people care about or understand the first amnd. Would those supporting this idea feel the same if they entered a community of Satanist who imposed a similar requirement? God gave you brains. Use them.
  • Locutus
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    @Elliotsreport On good days I strap a couple of Fish People to my ankles and do the Mercury thing but on water... Lord save me from your followers...
  • PNWest
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    Is this one of those states where you go to a family reunion to pick up chicks? Where your family tree only has one branch? Where the most popular pick up line is "Nice Tooth"?
  • u
    hybridlment
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    @PNWest Wow. That's my home state and I nor any of the people around me fit that description. I'm disappointed; I expected better than condescending generalizations from you in particular as I've enjoyed your fair and thoughtful posts.
  • PNWest
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    @hybridlment I apologize. I actually have relatives in KY and that's where I heard the jokes. I was just trying to be funny. Sorry if I offended.
  • Russell797
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    How does this sort of thing happen in the 21st century? Nothing will doom this country quicker than the persistent adoption of such an archaic mindset.
  • u
    justice
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    Its about time someone in a position of authority stand up for what this great country was founded on and that is the principals of the Holy Bible one nation (One God) that's right in God we trust.I fill for any one which don't believe in the resirected savior but we can rest sure if you deny him before man he said in his word he will deny you before his father also that every knee shall bow you can do it now are you can do it on that great day when you have not a choice.P. S.(May God have mercy on your lost soul)
  • RASTABAN
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    One nation under god is not in the US Constitution. The US government was not founded on any religion.
    And,which god? There are millions of gods. Could be One nation under Pan or Zeus.
  • u
    kyrebel
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    Ok, all yall atheist in other states that will never come to Kentucky and never want to come to Kentucky. How about leave us alone. We ain't bothering you. If we wanna put up a sign that says,"love God." Does that really hurt you? Maybe we should take down all signs so no one gets hurt. I live in Kentucky and have visited a bunch of other states. The people here are just like people everywhere else. I know a atheist or two and the only thing I can tell that is different from them and normal people. The big difference is atheists seem unhappy and mad about how there life is unlucky and things never go there way. Humm, well there might be a reason for that?? If you don't wanna believe, that's fine, but stop getting the government and the aclu to push Christians and Kentucky around. Sometimes the person getting pushed around, will push back.
  • u
    XclickX
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    It's unconstitutional. Plain and simple. I live in West Virginia and frequent Kentucky on a regular basis. The ignorance of people like you never ceases to astound me. It's nearly 2013, and we STILL have to fight to keep religion out of government. It's quite sad, really.
  • Denizen_Kate
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    "I know a atheist or two ... " And that makes you an authority on how all atheists live their lives? What an amazing mindset you have.

    "If we wanna put up a sign that says,"love God." Does that really hurt you?" It does when you put me in prison for a year or so just because I don't "love God." If you would trouble yourself to actually read the article, this isn't about the sign, it's about punishing people who aren't Christians.

    "The people here are just like people everywhere else." I lived in Kentucky for a couple of years, and I can unequivocally deny that. You must not get out much.

    " ... stop getting the government and the aclu to push Christians and Kentucky around." In this case, it is Kentucky that is doing the pushing.
  • u
    kyrebel
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    This is probably like one if those old blue laws that EVERY state has. Like a law saying that you can't throw snowballs on mondays in august. Or you can't walk your pig on Sundays on the left side iof the road. They might be in the law books but not gonna be enforced. Everybody just take deep breath and relax. There ain't gonna be a witch hunt but most Christians are getting tired of be pushed around and seeing our America destroyed right in front of us
  • View all 8 replies >
  • Tralee
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    As much as the Atheists annoy me with their constant whine about people who do believe, as in for some reason just because they don't believe, no one should, this is once that they are correct. Requiring belief in God for anything violates the 1st. Amendment.
  • dances-weebles
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    um... i agree with what you've said here for the most part, but no. i know many atheists and not one of them thinks that anyone else should believe that there's no god simply because they do. i have been a christian pastor for over 30 years and have never felt pressured by atheists to believe as they do. the fact is, however, that it's the overly religious and undereducated who attempt to do so.
  • erbmrb
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    I have never once tried to convince somebody who believes in God to not believe in God, however I have had literally hundreds of religious people try to convince me to believe in God. So........
  • Tralee
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    @erbmrb Did you respond to me before? I can't recall the name but it was a very reasoned reply stating mostly what you posted. Unfortunately, there are too few like you or you're just quiet and let the loud ones do their thing. I've seen so many comments from other atheists denigrating MY belief as if I'm stupid or something. That sort of dialog never goes over well. I don't care if one believes or not, it's a free will thing and whatever one does, as long as it's legal, is fine with me. I just wish the other atheists wouldn't work so hard to ruin Christmas for the majority of us with their very childish attempts to stamp out any display pertaining to Christmas. I refer, of course, to the stunts the atheists pulled in Santa Monica, CA leading the town to ban all displays on public land so no more Christmas Row, something that they've had for 30+ years until the atheists loaded the permit request with so many that pretty much all that got shown was pretty ugly anti-Christmas stuff, things that had no other reason to exist but to scare children, make they upset and denigrate anyone, according to them, stupid and backward enough to believe in God (a myth to them) and Christmas. So, to those guys, I hope you had fun, upsetting little kids and making them cry and fear that Santa wouldn't come. Nice, real nice, I imagine they also (NOT YOU!) pull the wings off butterflys and kick puppies for fun. A bully by any stripe is not a nice thing.
  • SkepticSimian
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    @Tralee "I've seen so many comments from other atheists denigrating MY belief as if I'm stupid or something."

    When a Christian thinks I will go to hell for not sharing their beliefs, is that not denigrating as well? The difference, of course, is that I'm not wishing you ill will if I think your beliefs are stupid.

    "I just wish the other atheists wouldn't work so hard to ruin Christmas for the majority of us with their very childish attempts to stamp out any display pertaining to Christmas. I refer, of course, to the stunts the atheists pulled in Santa Monica, CA..."

    The ban on Christmas displays on public property in Santa Monica was the result of some Christians behaving like spoiled brats. Besides religious displays on public property being unconstitutional anyway, the atheists there had fairly won spots for theirs. The ban resulted because some Christians decided to vandalize atheist displays rather than turning the other cheek. Besides, no one is stopping the Christians in Santa Monica from putting Nativity scenes on private property.

    "all that got shown was pretty ugly anti-Christmas stuff, things that had no other reason to exist but to scare children..."

    Oh, I am absolutely positive the kids were traumatized. How will they ever cope from learning Santa isn't real?
  • Tralee
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    @SkepticSimian See, this is the type of post I was talking about. Angry. If you read my post, I don't give a hoot if your belief system is silk shirts, NOMB, and the same goes for you as far as MY belief system. It's rude to try to bully a certain belief simply because you think you are right. As I said, a bully, no matter their stance, is not nice. However, thank you for validating my opinion. SOME atheists are just not nice people and seem to get pleasure out of spoiling the fun of others, think of them as PETA people but just against God, for anyone, anywhere, no matter who they hurt in the process. It's not up to YOU to decide what MY children believe in, got that Pal? MY decision and if you want your kids to believe something entirely different, that's YOUR decision. Get that point? Or is your way the only way?
  • View all 12 replies >
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    steveandesinTN
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    expect nothing less than politicians pandering they biggest population demographic.
    sadly in KY as well as many more states in the babble belt, that demographic is the low class uneducated religitard.
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