1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep alarm at the growing influence of Christian nationalist ideology in our government and its intrusion into public life. This trend, emboldened during the Trump administration, represents a direct threat to the constitutional separation of church and state — one of the core safeguards of our democracy. The United States was deliberately founded as a secular republic. Our Constitution guarantees not only freedom of religion but also freedom from religion, protecting all citizens from having religious beliefs imposed on them by the government. Attempts to redefine our country as a “Christian nation” betray both our history and the fundamental equality that Americans of every faith and none should enjoy. One of the most troubling recent developments has been the push to insert religion into public schools. Proposals to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, for example, are a blatant violation of the First Amendment. Public schools are not churches, and no child should feel pressured to conform to any religious belief while pursuing their education. Religion has no place in taxpayer-funded classrooms. I urge you to oppose all legislation that promotes religious displays or religious instruction in public schools. These efforts erode the neutrality that keeps government separate from religion and alienate students and families who do not share those beliefs. The wall between church and state is not a suggestion; it is a constitutional requirement. Weakening it opens the door to discrimination, division, and the erosion of individual liberties. I ask that you stand up clearly and forcefully against these attempts to inject sectarian doctrine into our laws and schools. Thank you for your time and your service to our state. I hope you will act decisively to protect the secular foundations of our democracy and ensure that all Americans remain free to believe — or not believe — as their conscience guides them.