Critics Say Atheist N.C. City Councilman Unworthy of Seat

RALEIGH, N.C.-Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell believes in ending the death penalty, conserving water and reforming government-but he doesn't believe in God. His political opponents say that's a sin that makes him unworthy of serving in office, and they've got the North Carolina Constitution on their side.
Bothwell's detractors are threatening to take the city to court for swearing him in, even though the state's antiquated requirement that officeholders believe in God is unenforceable because it violates the U.S. Consititution.
"The question of whether or not God exists is not particularly interesting to me and it's certainly not relevant to public office," the recently elected 59-year-old said....

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