Atheists Quote by Michael Newdow
“I don't think people understand - atheists are really a disenfranchised minority in this country. There are six constitutions right now - state constitutions - that say things like what South Carolina says that, "No person who denies the existence of a supreme being shall hold any office under this Constitution."”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Testimony before U.S. Senate Committee on Judiciary, 2005
Atheists face legal discrimination, as many state constitutions bar them from office, making them a marginalized group.
In simple terms: Atheists are legally marginalized.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for secular rights.
Themes
religion
law
minority rights
Mood
concerned
determined
Type
political
activist
When to use this quote
- voting
- public office
- legal challenges
- advocacy campaigns
Key Concepts
constitutional law
civil liberties
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps can protect religious equality?
- How can public opinion shift?
A Different Perspective
Some states may already protect religious freedom broadly.
![“JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" [Owen Meany] said crossly. "LOOK AT THOSE WEIRDO TV MIRACLE-WORKERS--THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC! BUT THE REAL MIRACLES AREN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70e/john-irving-337_atheists_just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-bet_31804.jpg)
![“Again, I hear almost everyday from atheists who write off religion as primitive, premodern nonsense. I summon Aquinas, Augustine, Paul [of Tarsus], Teresa of Avila, Joseph Ratzinger, and Edith Stein-in all their intellectual rigor-as allies in the the struggle against this dismissive atheism.” quote by Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86d/robert-barron-13186_allies_again-i-hear-almost-everyday-from-atheis_35728.jpg)
