Thanks for posting the article, so we can see how the media reacts to Cain’s WH run.
“any first year law student should know the original reason for the religion part of the first amendment was to keep the Federal government from trying to control religion”
THE ORIGINAL REASON for the religion part of the first amendment was to keep the RELIGION from trying to control the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
No, it wasn't, it was to prevent the federal government from establishing a mandatory religion, or just one financially supported by the taxpayers. States were free to do that, and many did at the time.
Anyone who can read English can determine that meaning for themselves.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
Respecting an establishment" means no State established or supported (financially) religion. The second part, the part mostly ignored in a misreading of the first part, is pretty clear, the federal government cannot prohibit the exercise of religion.
But Cain's statement is indeed in violation of the Constitution, although not the amended version of it.
"no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.Art VI, third paragraph, Constitution for the United States.