Sylvia Allen: Church Mandatory Law Lessens Gun Violence, Prompts ‘Moral Rebirth’
When Arizona state Senator Sylvia Allen mentioned a mandatory church law in the country as a way to lessen gun violence, she ignited a firestorm of comments and piling-on, even from members of her own Republican Party. In her opinion, if Congress passed nationwide legislation to require weekly church attendance, Americans can realize a “moral rebirth” and stamp out corrupt souls, citing a New York Daily News report.
If it was up to Senator Allen, everyone in the country would report to church on Sunday morning. Tuesday, when the state’s appropriations committee met to discuss a broad measure to widen existing gun laws in the state (HB 2320-firearms; permit holders; public places), Sylvia Allen took a sharp turn and segued to church and state issues.
“… It is the soul that is corrupt and how we get back to a moral rebirth in this country, I don’t know. Since we are slowly eroding religion at every opportunity that we have… we should probably be debating a bill requiring every American to attend a church of their choice on Sunday to see if we can get back to having a moral rebirth.”
Democratic state Senator Steve Farley, of Tucson, normally a congenial lawmaker and colleague, allegedly assailed Allen after her passing comment. Some said his message on Twitter was outlandish and the quip was a departure from legislative decorum and clearly partisan in nature.
Sen. Sylvia Allen calls for law requiring Sunday church attendance while explaining vote for guns in public bldgs https://t.co/V1GiUb7Lyu
— Steve Farley (@SteveFarleyAZ) March 26, 2015
While several of Farley’s supporters/followers thought Allen’s mandatory church attendance law proposal was “shocking” and “right wing”-ish, one person thought her colleague was disrespectful. Farley attempted to ward off the criticism.
@MacEachernDoug @DonnaDiva You saying I have no decency is decent? I simply quoted the Senator from her public explanation of vote.
— Steve Farley (@SteveFarleyAZ) March 26, 2015
Sylvia Allen is not actually proposing a “Mandatory Church” bill to be taken up by lawmakers. However, it’s clear that she is in search of a radical solution to the growing numbers of homicides and injuries stemming from guns falling into the wrong hands.
Many say she is attempting to remind Americans that going to church on Sunday morning was part of the values of many conservatives decades ago. Allen suggested that when people worshiped in church, it displaced anger and hate — two common precursors to deaths by guns.
“People prayed, people went to church. I remember on Sundays the stores were closed.”
Critics say it’s far-reaching to think the Constitution will be amended in the future to force church-going. However, Senator Allen has sparked a conversation about ideology and the need for legislators to enact tougher laws against violence.
Do you think Sylvia Allen really believes a mandatory church law will curtail violent crime in America?
[Photo: Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons]
