Protect Religious Freedom

Faith Should Be Free—Not Forced

I’ve been a pastor for three decades. I’ve preached in churches, coffee shops, living rooms, and city parks. I’ve walked with people of deep faith, people questioning their beliefs, and people who have walked away from religion entirely.

And I believe this with all my heart:

Faith should be free.

I’m running for Congress because true religious freedom means everyone has the right to believe, or not believe, without pressure from the government.

That means you can go to church.

Or synagogue.

Or mosque.

Or nowhere at all.

That’s freedom.

But that kind of freedom is being distorted.

We’re seeing a growing movement called Christian Nationalism that says to be a “real American,” you have to be a certain kind of Christian.

It blends religion and political power in ways that are dangerous, not just for democracy, but for faith itself.

Because when faith is tied to power, it stops being faith.

It becomes control. And when the government takes sides in religion, someone always loses their freedom.

Here’s what I believe:

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

• We need to stand against Christian Nationalism and the harm it causes

• And we must defend the rights of people of all faiths, and no faith, to live freely and equally

Religious freedom doesn’t mean one group gets to dominate.

It means no group gets to.

As a Christian, I don’t want the government telling me how to live out my faith. And I don’t want to use the government to impose my beliefs on someone else.

That’s not faith.

That’s force.

And forced religion has never produced real belief. It produces fear, resentment, and division.

The founders understood this. That’s why they protected religious freedom in the First Amendment, not to elevate one religion, but to protect everyone from government-imposed belief.

I’ve seen what happens when that line gets crossed.

Churches become political tools. Leaders start speaking in the name of God for the sake of power. And people who believe differently are treated like enemies instead of neighbors.

That’s not the gospel.

And it’s not democracy.

We are at our best when everyone’s rights are protected.

When a Muslim family can worship without fear.

When a Jewish community can gather in peace.

When a Christian can practice their faith freely.

When someone with no religious faith at all is treated with equal dignity.

That’s what real religious freedom looks like.

Not forced belief.

Not a theocracy.

A country where faith is free, conscience is respected, and no one is made to live under someone else’s religion.