Atheist told to join a church or be denied US Citizenship

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/margaret-doughty-atheist-citizenship_n_3469358.html

I get that she's trying to achieve citizenship as a concientious objector, but this is ridiculous. This is an example of an extremely archaic law that does not really apply in modern times. She even offered to serve this nation in any other way that does not involve violence or war. That should be enough.

If this is how it has to be for her, I wouldn't even bother anymore tbh

Isn't what she is being told (denying citizenship) against the 1st amendment rights?

RealGunner wrote:Isn't what she is being told (denying citizenship) against the 1st amendment rights?

It's definitely unconstitutional.

There was already a Supreme Court ruling on this very matter in 1970(Vietnam and spiritual objectors):

http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/court/wels_v_us.html

Facts of the Case:

Welsh was convicted of refusing to accept induction into the armed forces. He sought conscientious objector status but did not base it on any religious beliefs. He said that he could not affirm nor deny the existence of a Supreme Being. Rather, Welsh asserted his moral opposition to conflict in which people are being killed. He alleged that the sincerity of his belief should qualify him for exemption from military duty under the Universal Military Training and Service Act. The Act allowed only those people whose opposition to the war was based on religious beliefs to be declared conscientious objectors.


Decision:

In a 5-3 decision, the Court allowed Welsh to be declared a conscientious objector even though he declared that his opposition to war was not based on religious convictions.


I don't see how this isn't overruled.

If she gets enough publicity I wouldn't be surprised if a civil rights group does take up her case and it is eventually dealt with in court, dmize.


Exactly the sort of thing that drives me towards (civil rights) law over a career in academia.

RedOranje wrote:If she gets enough publicity I wouldn't be surprised if a civil rights group does take up her case and it is eventually dealt with in court, dmize.


Exactly the sort of thing that drives me towards (civil rights) law over a career in academia.

Just searched her name to see how much coverage it was getting and apparently she got approved, after pressure from a couple civil rights groups. "Both the FFRF and the American Humanist Association wrote letters to the USCIS on her behalf", and then a Congressman got involved as well:

Congressman Blake Farenthold (R-TX) took action on this and his office sent Doughty a wonderful response earlier today:

   “This Service hereby withdraws the request for evidence (RFE) issued on June 7, 2013. This Service accepts your detailed statement in satisfaction of the information requested by the RFE. Your application for naturalization has been approved.”

Glad to hear it, but a shame she even got denied in the first place though.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/06/20/after-initially-being-denied-u-s-citizenship-because-of-her-atheism-margaret-doughtys-application-has-been-approved/

http://www.americanhumanist.org/news/details/2013-06-humanist-legal-center-helps-atheist-in-quest-for-us

It is a shame that this government initially refused her, but it is ALWAYS worth looking into the full story. Whatever criticisms you may have of the US government (and I'm sure we all have damned plenty, and that most are also legitimate) you can't say it is unresponsive to the citizens when they organize.

If there is a major issue and people effectively mobilize the US government WILL listen and WILL act.

That's true. It deserved an explanation, I guess I should've phrased it as: her response on her beliefs should've been all they needed.

FYI, they only threaten to deny her. They never actually did.

I'm glad to hear they caved to reason though. A woman who has spent 30 years of her life in this country should be shown more respect than that though.