Church and State

Radical North Carolina Conservatives are threatening to take their city to court if Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell in sworn into office. Bothwell, who believes in ending the death penalty, conserving water and reforming government happens to not believe in god "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.You would think that since this is the 21st century that this would not be an issue when running for office, but it is just the opposite, North Carolina conservatives are outraged. The unfortunate thing for Bowell is that the constitution is backing these "jesus freaks". Bothwell's detractors cite a little-noticed quirk in North Carolina's Constitution that disqualifies officeholders "who shall deny the being of Almighty God." The provision was included when the document was drafted in 1868 and wasn't revised when North Carolina amended its constitution in 1971. One foe, H.K. Edgerton, is threatening to file a lawsuit in state court against the city to challenge Bothwell's appointment. In this nation with all the freedom and so called equality floating around, i believe politicians should not be judged by thier believes but by their ability to do their job and serve the people.