Politicians often have trouble navigating matters of religion and politics. One Democratic pol who does not have that problem is veteran Minnesota State Sen. John Marty. I recently interviewed Marty for Religion Dispatches/Rewire. Here is part of the introduction to our interview:
In his first State of the Union address, Donald Trump wagged his finger and declared, “the motto is In God We Trust.” He was, of course, talking about the national motto, designated by Congress in the 1950s as part of the post-war culture of anti-communism. It replaced the original motto E Pluribus Unum (out of many, one) which spoke to the spirit of unifying the diverse nation of the founding era.) Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA) told CBN News that he “was moved by the president’s commitment to God.”
The disingenuousness of these and allied pols has set the tone for much that has happened since. And there are indications that this may become more the rule than the exception. If so, the experience and example of State Senator John Marty (D-MN) may be instructive.
Marty was smeared on Fox News after he opposed a legislative amendment that would allow for the display of In God We Trust in the public schools. The bill’s sponsor, Republican Senator Dan Hall, described Marty as part of an “anti-faith movement” that seeks to “suppress” religion and “wipe it out of government.” Hall went on to say it was a matter of “religious freedom” to post In God We Trust in the schools.
This was consistent with the 2018 legislative playbook of a Christian Right initiative called Project Blitz, first reported by [me, in] Religion Dispatches in April. Project Blitz comprised 20 suggested model bills and resolutions that concerned such things as the promotion of Christianity in public life; the teaching of a Christian nationalist version of American history, and providing for religious exemptions from civil rights laws. This year, Alabama, Florida, Arizona, Louisiana and Tennessee passed laws requiring or allowing public schools to display the U.S. motto, “In God We Trust.” The Minnesota legislation, which included an In God We Trust amendment, passed but was vetoed by the governor. Marty expects the issue will be back in some form in 2019.
As Project Blitz strategists saw it, they could gain political advantage by getting opponents on the record, so their votes and statements could be used against them. But in this instance, they tried to bully the wrong pol.
In a subsequent appearance on Fox, Marty defended the integrity of his faith and his stance against the In God We Trust amendment. He insisted that posting of In God We Trust in the public schools is “offensive” to both religious believers and the non-religious. And, speaking as a Christian, he said that the “government sanctioned motto does not strengthen our religion, but it demeans, devalues and cheapens our religion.” Apparently, rather than continue to give Marty a platform, the smears stopped.
Here are a few quotes from the interview:
"...we need our leaders to set a good example by framing relevant issues in terms of the foundational values of religious freedom and separation of church and state."
"Motto proponents make it clear they are promoting their Christian God. Yet, the author of the legislation argued in the Senate that he considers “God” to be generic for any faith."
"Speaking as a Lutheran, I don’t want my religious beliefs watered-down by simplistic, generic, politically motivated, government-sanctioned mottos or practices."
"...religious minorities or students who don’t believe in God are often bullied for being different. Posting this motto can leave them feeling that the school is backing the bullies. The bullies sense that too."
Read the whole thing
here.