The code of the Free State of Maryland requires that a public official taking the oath of office "declare orally his belief in the Christian religion, or, if he professes to be a Jew, his belief in a future state of rewards and punishments."
J. Milton Stanford, a practicing Pantheist,* was first elected to the town council of Brentwood, Md. two years ago. He was sworn in with an oath of office, customary in Brentwood, which contained the phrase "I believe in God." He made no objection at the time but, after thinking it over later on, decided he could not again...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
