NC GOP legislators propose declaring an official state religion | CLT Blog
Bill sponsors: Carl Ford & Harry WarrenBill sponsors: Carl Ford & Harry Warren

NC GOP legislators propose declaring an official state religion

Posted on 3 Apr 2013 by Justin Ruckman

Republican North Carolina state legislators have proposed allowing an official state religion in a measure that would declare the state exempt from the Constitution and court rulings.

The bill, filed Monday by two GOP lawmakers from Rowan County andbacked by nine other Republicans, says each state “is sovereign” and courts cannot block a state “from making laws respecting an establishment of religion.” The legislation was filed in response to a lawsuitto stop county commissioners in Rowan County from opening meetings with a Christian prayer, wral.com reported.

The religion bill comes as some Republican-led states seek to separate themselves from the federal government, primarily on the issues of guns and Obamacare. This includes a proposal in Mississippi to establish a state board with the power to nullify federal laws.

The North Carolina bill’s main sponsors, state Reps. Carl Ford (R-China Grove) and Harry Warren (R-Salisbury), could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, The Salisbury Post reported. Co-sponsors include House Majority Leader Edgar Starnes (R-Hickory). Another is state Rep. Larry Pittman (R-Concord), who in February introduced a state constitutional amendment that would allow for carrying concealed weapons to fight federal “tyranny.”

Read more by John Celock at the Huffington Post.

Comments

  1. Michael 3 Apr 2013 at 2:31 PM

    The bill, filed Monday.…” And, with Monday being the first of April, aka “April Fool’s.…”

  2. DBK 3 Apr 2013 at 4:00 PM

    Somebidy please remind these idiots of the Oath of Office they took:

    § 117. Oath or affirmation to support Constitutions; all officers to take.
    Every member of the General Assembly and every person elected or
    appointed to hold any office of trust or profit in the State shall,
    before taking office or entering upon the execution of the office,
    take and subscribe to the following oath:
    “I, .… .… .…, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I
    will support the Constitution of the United States; that I will be
    faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of North Carolina, and
    to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be
    established for the government thereof; and that I will endeavor to
    support, maintain and defend the Constitution of said State, not
    inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States, to the best
    of my knowledge and ability; so help me God.”

    • Patrick Culbertson 3 Apr 2013 at 4:29 PM

      Aha! ‘God’ was at the end of it, so I can force others to believe in God because he’s in the Oath of Office!”

      Southern Christian logic.

  3. Devin 3 Apr 2013 at 4:01 PM

    Idiots rule.

  4. rick davis 3 Apr 2013 at 5:00 PM

    well we should understand that its the ACLU causing this crap. 80% of the country and the state are mainstream and don’t rock the boat unless it harms their family directly. We need to ignore the extremist and just live and let live.

  5. Susan 3 Apr 2013 at 9:38 PM

    If only it were an April Fool — but only the Fool part applies to our GOP legislature.

  6. MJ Nason 3 Apr 2013 at 11:22 PM

    We have a prez that is insulted by the name of Jesus Christ. Our country has gone mad without the presence of GOD. There is no argument against righteousness.