Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS) enclosed the Bible in his letter dated July 29 and sent to all House and Senate offices. The letter, written on an official letterhead in his capacity as assistant majority whip, was confirmed by Capitol Hill aides whose offices received it.
"On a daily basis, we contemplate policy decisions that impact America's future. Our staffs provide us with policy memos, statistics, and recommendations that help us make informed decisions. However, I find that the best advice comes through meditating on God's Word," Palazzo wrote.
"Please find a copy of the Holy Bible to help guide you in your decision-making," the congressman continued, saying the Bibles were donated by one of his constituents from South Mississippi named J.B. Atchison.
House Whip Sends Bible To Every Hill Office For 'Decision-Making' Guidance
See also:
Bible-Based Laws?: Miss. Congressman Mails Calls For Policy Anchored In Scripture
AU’s executive director, Barry Lynn, explained to TPM why the representative should have refrained from sending the Bibles. “When a politician calls for using the Bible as the basis for public policy, what he or she is really saying is, ‘Let’s use the Bible as I interpret it as the basis for public policy,’” Lynn said.
He added, “When it comes to religion, our nation is pluralistic and diverse. Rather than look to the Bible or any other religious book to craft our nation's public policy, we would do well to examine another source instead, one that was actually created to guide governance. It's called the Constitution.”
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It’s a matter of concern that Palazzo seems to prioritize the Bible over other sources of guidance. As a legislator, his responsibility is to make sure that laws adhere to the Constitution – including the First Amendment – not the Ten Commandments. While he, and indeed every other public official, is certainly entitled to find spiritual solace in any religion’s holy text, dogma has no place in the policy-making process.
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