Atheist Councilmen Feels the Religious Heat

Asheville, North Carolina City Councilman Cecil Bothwell has some great ideas, and believes in great things. However, one of the things he does not believe in is God. Being an atheist is a big problem to some people in North Carolina. His opponents say it is a sin to be an atheist and makes him unworthy of serving in office. The North Carolina Constitution even states that being an atheist disqualifies officeholders "who shall deny the being of Almighty God."

However, the state's requirement that officeholders must believe in God is unenforceable because it violates the U.S. Constitution because of the supremacy clause. The Supreme Court affirmed that federal law prohibits states from requiring any kind of religious test to serve in office. This shows the power the federal government has over the state government.

Any person who has the correct qualifications should be allowed to serve in office, whether they believe in God or not. Even though Bothwell is permitted to stay in office, he will spend much of his time defending himself in court against his conservative, religious opponents. If his ideas and motives are good, his belief or non-belief in any ultimate being should not be relevant. Religion and politics should be kept separate, and the U.S. Constitution helped it stay that way in this case.

No Gays, No Group

The topic of gays and lesbians is a hot and controversial one. Another debate has begun about them at the University of California's Hastings College of the Law and it is being brought in front of the Supreme Court this upcoming Monday.

The Supreme Court will decide whether the law school violated the constitutional rights of a Christian group at the school by being denied recognition as an official campus organization because it excludes gays and lesbians. The college requires officers and voting members to share their religious beliefs, including that "Christians should not engage in sexual conduct outside of a marriage between a man and a woman." The article states, "The justices agreed to intervene in a case that pits anti-discrimination policies common college campuses against freedoms of religion and association".

I can see this case going either way. Discrimination is wrong, but the group is being denied recognition for their religious beliefs. Because I am so anti-discriminatory, pro- gay, and not so religious, I think it is right to not recognize the group. They are leaving people out because of something they can't even control and they think that's okay. I understand that everyone has their own beliefs but these beliefs are unfair, discriminatory, and the group does not deserve to be recognized.

30,000 More

Last week, Obama announced he was sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. The plan is for the troops to be added by next summer and begin to be withdrew in July 2011. It sparked a huge response, some happy with his decision, some not. Mostly not. The Republicans accused Obama of "aiding the Taliban insurgency by setting a date to begin a withdraw" and the Democrats criticized Obama for an "expensive expansion of an unpopular conflict at a time of economic hardship at home". In addition, John McCain added, "'What I do not support, and what concerns me greatly, is the president's decision to set an arbitrary date to begin withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan. A date for withdrawal sends exactly the wrong message to both our friends and our enemies'". However, our own Representative, Doris Matsui said, "'I am encouraged by Obama's clear commitment to bring our military involvement in Afghanistan to a conclusion'".

Karl Eikenberry, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan brings up a good point. He argues that bringing more troops in would increase Karzai's dependence on the U.S. military and prolong the country's involvement in the war. This is true. The goal of the war is to destroy al-Qaida and to turn over government and security responsibilities to Afghans as quickly as possible. But if we have thousands of troops over there, they will become dependent on us and it will make it harder for us to end the war.

Over 850 U.S. troops have died in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion. Although some, including the President, think it's necessary to bring in more troops, I don't think it should happen. Increasing the number of troops increases the time we will be over there, which I wish was no time at all.