susinpgh

susinpgh t1_jdnrk4z wrote

This is such a weird point, and it's why sometimes it counts and sometimes it doesn't. The PA Constitution is weirdly worded:

>§ 3. Religious freedom.
>
>All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his consent; no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship.
>
>§ 4. Religion.
>
>No person who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth.

IIRC, this was put in place so that no-one could be disqualified because of the practice of religion and served to make sure that you were not barred from office for practicing and flavor of worship. But it certainly doesn't proscribe atheists from holding office.

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susinpgh t1_jdnii7i wrote

Like the Marriage Equality Act? Or the Loving act, which allowed people of two different races to marry? I think that serves a purpose. It also serves a purpose in holding organizations and employers to account for unfair practices based on ant number of factors.

Yes, we shouldn't need these rules, because it's in the constitution. But since the founding, laws were interpreted differently based on gender, race and religious practice.

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susinpgh t1_jd3j79f wrote

Good for you. I was told that what I had thought was my birth certificate, wasn't. I had the same issue with my marriage certificate. I had to pay to have the originating counties send me the documents. It took me a total of 6 weeks. But hey, I did post that already, didn't I?

It is still a hurdle for some, it is still gatekeeping. I'm about 12 years older than you. It is more difficult for seniors to get this paperwork together, and for low income people, it can be an issue too.

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susinpgh t1_jd3ftl0 wrote

But it is the issue with Real ID, and one of the reasons that there is an objection to it. I had to get real ID for my job, and I am just a few years younger than the user you're responding to. It took me six weeks to get my paperwork together, and all told, it ran me >$120.

As mentioned, it was required for my job. But I honestly don't make all that much. It was a bit, but because it was nickeled and dimed out it didn't hit all at once.

When Real ID was first discussed, it was seen as a way of putting a hurdle in place for the older generations and for the poor.

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