I am sooo tired of the ignorant misusing Article VI of the Constitution like this! How can somebody alleged to be so intelligent be so ignorant?
Our constitutional framers included a provision that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States” (Article VI). The Mythster misconstrues candidacy eligibility (all the constitution says is that an eligible candidate cannot be kept from running on religious test grounds) vs. the Mythster suggesting that we impose upon the voting process itself.
Religion IS NOT a qualification or disqualification for public office; but it's certainly one quality of voter discernment among many others...namely, voting record, present position statements & rampant inconsistency of past position statements, social issues' stances, character, viability, scandal-free past, etc. Article VI, section 3 of the Constitution is aimed at the candidate (must be of a certain age and must have resided in our country for a certain number of years) and the government so that religion does not become a disqualification to keep somebody otherwise eligible for running for public office. Article VI, section 3, is not aimed at the voter. Otherwise, voters would have to 100% disregard character, beliefs, other-dimensionly commitments, and spiritual discernment in weighing candidates.
It's not ignorance...it's "lyin for the Lord"...anything to further the cause. It's been effective for 180 years..why stop now?