The Constitution explicitly states that there are no religious tests required to hold office, but Governor Mike Parson (R) outright stated that he intends to only nominate Christians to government offices who share his religious beliefs.
Parson made the remark after the Missouri Senate rejected his pick to head the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
“[Donald Kauerauf] is a public health expert that is on record opposing masking requirements and COVID-19 vaccine mandates,” Parson bragged in a statement. “He is outspokenly pro-life and morally opposed to abortion. Missourians know that I share these beliefs and would not have nominated someone who does not share the same Christian values.”
As a Missourian, Parson is absolutely NOT speaking for me and a large swath of my fellow Missourians who understand the Constitution and don’t necessarily share Parson’s religious views.
Article VI of the Constitution clearly states:
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
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.
Even a member of Parson’s own party called him out.
Considering that, I then must ask the question. Would someone who is Jewish, such as myself, be considered for nomination? #moleg 2/2
— Adam Schwadron (@AJSchwadron) February 2, 2022
Indeed, Parson is automatically dismissing any potential candidate who isn’t a Christian like him. That leaves out Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, atheists, and even deists like the Founding Fathers who did not believe in the divinity presented in the Bible.
Missouri is now a laughingstock because Parson is openly violating a part of the Constitution that has been in effect since it was written and adopted, and he has demonstrated that Republicans want a right-wing Christian takeover of government and will discriminate against all other religions and beliefs.
WIll Missouri voters reject Parson and his extremism? Only time will tell.
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