Miss. Senate OKs adding 'In God We Trust' to seal | Hattiesburg American | hattiesburgamerican.com

The bill is called the “Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” and it says government may not burden a person’s right to practice religion.

Its chief sponsor is Republican Sen. Phillip Gandy, who’s minister of Liberty Baptist Church in Waynesboro. Gandy said he has heard no examples of Mississippi government trying to limit religion, but he has talked to some conservative Christians — particularly Pentecostals and Baptists — who are concerned.

“Times are changing, and Christians are afraid of a lot of different things. And some of that is reality, possibly, and some is perception. But we want to do what we can,” Gandy told The Associated Press after the bill passed.

Some senators, including Democrat David Jordan of Greenwood, pointed out during the debate that the U.S. Constitution already guarantees freedom of religion.

Miss. Senate OKs adding 'In God We Trust' to seal | Hattiesburg American | hattiesburgamerican.com


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Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act to Add God Reference to State Seal

What is particularly fascinating about this bill is the rationale that has been offered by its supporters for why we need it, given that the U.S. Constitution already guarantees religious freedom. According to Emily Wagster Pettus' article for the Associated Press, the bill's sponsor, Sen. Phillip Gandy (identified as minister of Liberty Baptist Church) explained:

Times are changing, and Christians are afraid of a lot of different things. And some of that is reality, possibly, and some is perception. But we want to do what we can.

Sen. Gandy indicated that some conservative Baptists and Pentecostals in Mississippi are concerned but did not specify what exactly they were concerned about. Perhaps the concerns stems from the rise of atheism. After all, the quote about times changing and Christians being fearful implies that they fear change and see this measure as a way to protect their privilege.

After the bill passed the Mississippi Senate, here is what Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves had to say about it:

The United States is a Christian nation, and nowhere is that reflected more than in Mississippi.

No, the United States not a Christian nation. It is a religiously diverse nation, and it includes millions of people who are not Christian and millions who do not believe in any sort of gods. To claim otherwise is to reveal one's ignorance of U.S. history and reality itself.

Mississippi Senate Unanimously Passes Religious Freedom Restoration Act

SB 2681 was introduced by Sen. Phillip Gandy (R-Waynesboro), who also serves as a pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Waynesboro. Sen. John Polk (R-Hattiesburg) then added an amendment that would grant authorization for the phrase “In God We Trust” to be added to the state seal.

Gov. Phil Bryant had urged the legislature to work to add the motto to the seal during his recent State of the State address.

“I continue to believe this is the right time to stand for our beliefs—our faith, our families, and our nation. To strengthen our resolve, I have asked that we take a bold step for God and country,” he said. “I have called on [the Senate] to introduce legislation that would change the wording on the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to reflect our nation’s motto. With your help, the seal of the State of Mississippi will, from this session forward, reflect the simple yet profound words ‘In God We Trust.’”