Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina, Arkansas and Texas are seven states containing articles in their constitutions, banning atheists from holding any type of public office. The text of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, of the Constitution of the United States of America states thusly: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." Churches are establishments of religion, and by constitutional law, no laws can be made in respect to them. Free exercise is defined as the freedom to choose whether or not to engage in such practices. The choice to not believe in a God or gods is protected by the Constitution. No state should force prospective public servants to worship against their wills.
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