Tennessee Bill: A Prayer and Fasting Mandate Wrapped in Christian Nationalism

Tennessee lawmakers have introduced House Joint Resolution 51, a bill that calls for a state-sanctioned period of prayer and fasting every July. While couched in the language of seeking “Almighty God’s hand of ever-present mercy and healing,” this resolution is a clear example of Christian nationalism encroaching on the separation of church and state.

Key Concerns:

• Explicit Judeo-Christian Foundation: The bill explicitly states that Tennessee and the nation were founded on “Judeo-Christian values outlined in the Bible.” This ignores the diverse religious and secular backgrounds of the founders and the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom for all.
• Government-Mandated Religious Observance: By designating July as a “time of prayer and fasting,” the resolution encourages a specific religious practice, blurring the line between government and religion. While they state it is voluntary, the resolution is a clear attempt to utilize the government to promote a specific religious practice.
• Imposition of Religious Beliefs: The resolution attributes various societal problems—from crime and addiction to family breakdown—to a lack of adherence to these “Judeo-Christian values.” It then calls for divine intervention to solve these issues, effectively imposing a religious worldview on all citizens.
• Ignoring the First Amendment: The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the separation of church and state. This resolution undermines that principle by promoting a specific religious observance and grounding state policy in religious doctrine.
• Christian Nationalism: This bill is a clear example of Christian nationalism, the belief that the United States is a Christian nation and that its laws and policies should reflect Christian values. This ideology ¹ threatens the religious freedom of non-Christians and secular citizens.  
• Selective Biblical Quotations: The bill quotes biblical verses to justify its position, showing a selective use of religion to support a political agenda.

Secular Takeaway:

This resolution is not just about prayer and fasting; it’s about using the power of the state to promote a specific religious ideology. It’s a direct challenge to the principles of secular government and religious freedom. Citizens who value the separation of church and state should be concerned about this encroachment of Christian nationalism into the halls of government.

This bill is a reminder that constant vigilance is required to protect the First Amendment and ensure that government remains neutral on matters of religion.