Republicans attack Texas House candidate because she’s an atheist.

Democrat Elizabeth Tarrant is running for the Texas House from District 97. Her opponent, incumbent Republican Craig Goldman, is attacking her because she is an atheist.

Goldman recently sent out a letter asking for voters to support him because Tarrant is a “self-proclaimed atheist” who “does not have the values you want to represent you in Austin.”

I am asking for your support this November to send me back to Austin and continue to represent you and your values. My Democrat opponent is a self-proclaimed atheist. This is who the Democrat party is backing as their nominee, and I am certain my opponent does not have does the values you want to represent you in Austin. … P.S. My Democrat opponent is a self-proclaimed atheist. I feel certain you do not share her values and that is just one reason that I ask for your vote in this election.

Goldman is wrong to attack Tarrant because she is an atheist. Imagine the uproar if Goldman sent out a letter attacking a candidate for being a Jew, or a Muslim, or a Christian. The fact that Goldman believes he can attack someone and claim they are unworthy of political office simply because they do not believe in a God is unacceptable and morally reprehensible.

As for values, Tarrant explicitly supports “Women’s Rights and Bodily Autonomy” and “Religious Freedoms and Separation of Church and State,” values which many progressive Americans share.

And then there’s the U.S. Constitution – Article 6:

… no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Friendly Atheist spoke with Tarrant and asked if she knew this letter was coming. Tarrant replied:

I figured he’d do that. I just didn’t know when… I live in the middle of Texas and it’s very religious down here. I expected it.

Tarrant added that she’s not ashamed of her atheism — she’s not going to pretend she’s religious just to get votes — but she’s running to represent everyone in the District, not only the ones who are non-religious.

Bottom line: Goldman’s attack on Tarrant for being an atheist is religious bigotry. Full stop.

Readers can donate to Tarrant’s campaign here.

(H/T Friendly Atheist)