Unholy row in mountain resort as atheist joins city council

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina: When Cecil Bothwell took the oath of office as an Asheville city councillor this month, he did not swear to uphold the US and North Carolina constitutions ''so help me God''. He affirmed that he would, without mentioning the Almighty.

Nor did the political newcomer place his hand on a Bible. He simply kept it at his side.

Mr Bothwell is an atheist, or as he often describes himself, a ''post-theist'', and some residents of the picturesque mountain resort of Asheville say he has violated an obscure clause in the state constitution that disqualifies from elected office ''any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God''.

A conservative group has distributed pamphlets warning that Mr Bothwell is ''Satan's helper'' and a ''radical extremist'' who is ''bashing religion''.