Well let's look at the proposed "not-a-religious-test" test:
If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck, imo.
This "not-a-religious-test" test looks, sounds, and quacks like a religious test, imo.
Let's look at the section from Article 6 of the constitution again:
From
Article 6 of the US Constitution:
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
Yep. It's a duck, imo.
A better tactic would be to specifically ask about the Fourteen Amendment--the basis for equal rights and protections under the law--is it legitimate? If the candidate tries to dodge the question or does anything other than an enthusiastic affirmation to uphold the Fourteenth (as well as the
13th, 15th, 19th, 23rd, 24th , and 26th) Amendments, then drop them quicker than a hot potato and demand someone who will uphold these amendments.