re: #418 Anymouse 🌹

When I was first prepared to take up my seat on my village board after the special election, I sent a query to the county prosecutor/attorney asking about the clause in the Nebraska constitution that requires swearing an oath to God to take up a public office, noting I am an atheist (though I think he knew that already). He inquired of the state attorney general, who issued what amounted to a “special dispensation” to me to make an affirmation of office instead of an oath.

(I was prepared to sue if I was denied my rightful seat on religious grounds.)

The issue didn’t come up again when I was reëlected. (I wondered how Ernie Chambers got around that issue in the state constitution … probably the same sort of query.)

I live in allegedly liberal NJ, in a town that’s basically a suburb of Philly. The few times I’ve copped to be atheist have resulted in either death stares, or one pleasant case where a National Guardsman told me I was what’s wrong with America.

It does not play well here. Maybe I’m not giving Nebraska the credit it deserves.