Constitutional Amendment 4 - Remove the Religious Minister Disqualification Amendment

Summary

This amendment would delete Article IX, Section 1 of the Tennessee Constitution, which prohibits ministers of the gospel and priests of any denomination from holding a seat in either House of the legislature.

A "yes" vote supports deleting Article IX, Section 1 of the Tennessee Constitution, which prohibits ministers of the gospel and priests of any denomination from holding a seat in either House of the legislature.

A "no" vote opposes deleting Article IX, Section 1 of the Tennessee Constitution. Ministers of the gospel and priests of any denomination would continue to be prohibited from holding a seat in either House of the legislature.

Arguments

"The church was really a vital and vibrant part of our community, providing a place of relief, providing support for people who have issues in life. At that point, you start saying you cannot be the teacher in the church school or you can't be the teacher in the faith institutions, other areas." - State Representative Harold M. Love, Jr., in support of Constitutional Amendment 4 (Learn more)

"The essence of the rationale underlying the Tennessee restriction on ministers is that if elected to public office they will necessarily exercise their powers and influence to promote the interests of one sect or thwart the interests of another, thus pitting one against the others, contrary to the anti-establishment principle with its command of neutrality." - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren E. Burger in the plurality decision for McDaniel v. Paty, 435 U.S. 618 (1978), in opposition to Constitutional Amendment 4 (Learn more)

Measure Details