1. United States
2. S.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent letter to the State Department encouraging members to report what they perceive as anti-Christian bias among their colleagues. While religious freedom is a core value of our country, this approach sets a dangerous precedent that threatens both the First Amendment and the pluralistic ideals upon which our democracy is built. First and foremost, the United States was not founded as a Christian nation. Our Constitution makes clear that there shall be no establishment of religion, and the First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion for all—not just Christians. Our founders intentionally created a secular government that respects all faiths and beliefs equally. This includes the freedom to practice any religion—or none at all—without fear of government oversight, coercion, or retaliation. Encouraging members of Congress to report one another for statements or actions perceived as anti-Christian veers alarmingly close to policing thought and belief. It not only chills free expression but risks weaponizing religion in a political context. Such a move undermines both the spirit and the letter of the First Amendment, which protects not only freedom of religion, but also freedom of speech and conscience. Furthermore, this type of internal reporting mechanism opens the door to surveillance and suspicion among colleagues, rather than fostering the respectful, open dialogue that is essential to healthy governance. It sets a precedent where members may feel compelled to censor their speech—not because it is harmful or discriminatory, but because it does not conform to a particular religious perspective. This policy does not promote religious tolerance; it enforces religious favoritism. And in doing so, it marginalizes not only non-Christian members of Congress but also Christian members who believe strongly in the separation of church and state. I urge you to oppose this initiative and any similar efforts that attempt to institutionalize religion in government proceedings or create an atmosphere of fear around religious expression. Our democracy is strongest when it defends the rights of all individuals—regardless of their faith or lack thereof—and promotes the free exchange of ideas without religious litmus tests. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.