I USED TO THINK NORTH CAROLINA WAS FAIRLY ADVANCED...

at least for a Souther state and now I'm not so sure. Raw Story has this disturbing bit of news:

Conservatives threaten to sue city over atheist councilman

By The Associated Press
Friday, December 11th, 2009 -- 4:37 pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- 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.

Here's the relevant section from the North Carolina State Constitution:

ARTICLE VI SUFFRAGE AND ELIGIBILITY TO OFFICE

Sec. 8. Disqualifications for office.

The following persons shall be disqualified for office:

First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.