Written by Don Byrd
I have some questions about Rep. Sensenbrenner’s (R-WI) Religious Liberty Tax Repeal Act, legislation that would exempt any employer — even for a thoroughly secular business — from health coverage requirements that conflict with personal religious beliefs (See earlier post). But the Congressman is absolutely right to criticize Rep. Michele Bachmann’s anti-Muslim witch hunt.
During a town hall meeting Sunday, Sensenbrenner reminded a constituent of the Constitution’s ban on religious tests for office and emphasis on religious liberty for all. Thanks to Think Progress for the transcript and the video.
SENSENBRENNER: I think the Constitution in saying that there shall never be a religious test for any office of trust and profit under the United States meant that people should not be judged on the basis of their religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs. That was Thomas Jefferson that put that in the Constitution — I think he was right.
CONSTITUENT: I think that there’s a political ideology that’s a concern in Islam that is concerning and that should be looked at and we should know that this person is not a threat…
SENSENBRENNER: Heidi, Heidi, Heidi, the First Amendment prohibits the government from making a distinction between what is “good religion” and what is “bad religion.” That’s none of the government’s business. Religion is a personal issue to every one of the people who lives in the United States, whether you practice a faith, how you practice a faith, whether you don’t practice a faith, whether you say you’re a member of a faith but don’t practice it, it’s none of the government’s business. And this is the whole issue of religious freedom. And that has been one of the most cherished freedoms that this country has had since it’s beginning.
Good for him. The halls of Congress are incredible seats of power, and should not be used to fearmonger by calling out, questioning or demeaning a religion. Bachmann should know better.
