Protect Religious Freedom

Faith Should Be Free—Not Forced

I’ve been a pastor for over two decades. I’ve preached in church buildings, coffee shops, living rooms, and even in the middle of a city park. I’ve talked with people of deep faith, people deconstructing their faith, and people who’ve walked away from religion altogether.

And I believe this with all my heart: faith should always be free—not forced.

I’m running for Congress because I believe in true religious freedom—the kind that protects everyone’s right to believe (or not believe) without pressure from the government.

That means protecting your right to go to church. Or synagogue. Or mosque. Or temple. Or nowhere at all.

But lately, that kind of freedom is under threat. Not from people of other religions—but from a rising movement called Christian Nationalism.

Christian Nationalism says that to be a “real American,” you have to be a certain kind of Christian. It tries to blend religion and politics in ways that are dangerous—for both the church and the country. And I believe it’s one of the greatest threats to both democracy and the gospel in our time.

Here’s what I believe:

• We must protect the separation of church and state, so no one’s religious beliefs are used to control someone else’s life.

• We need to stand against Christian Nationalism, which distorts both the teachings of Jesus and the meaning of democracy.

• And we should defend the rights of people of all faiths—and no faith—to live freely and equally in this country.

Religious freedom doesn’t mean one group gets to dominate the others. It means we all have space to seek truth, ask questions, and follow our conscience.

As a Christian, I don’t want the government telling me how to worship. And I certainly don’t want to force my beliefs onto someone else through law or policy. That’s not faith. That’s control.

True belief requires freedom. That’s why the founders enshrined religious liberty in the First Amendment—not to protect religion from people, but to protect people from government-imposed religion.

I’ve seen the damage Christian Nationalism can do. It turns churches into political machines. It turns political opponents into enemies of God. And it turns the rich teachings of Jesus into a weapon for power.

That’s not the kind of faith I want to be part of. And it’s not the kind of country I want to live in.

America is strongest when everyone’s rights are protected—regardless of their beliefs. When a Muslim parent can take their child to school without fear. When a Jewish family can worship in peace. When an atheist can speak freely without being treated as less American.

That’s the kind of freedom we’re called to defend. Not a theocracy. Not forced belief. But a country where every person is free to believe, belong, and be.

Let’s protect that freedom—for all of us.