Mandatory Church Attendance Suggestion By State Senator Meets With Shock And Disbelief

According to the Christian Science Monitor, Arizona State Republican Senator Sylvia Allen suggested if a law existed for mandatory church attendance, it could possibly help reverse “moral erosion” in America.

The senator was in a televised committee debate earlier this week about a concealed weapons bill when she made the statement about mandatory church attendance. Senator Allen explained why she thought mandatory church attendance might help minimize crimes. She said America needs a moral rebirth in order to keep people from feeling the need to carry a weapon. Allen believes that since there is a moral erosion of the soul, mandatory church is the answer for all Americans.

While the 67-year-old senator might have meant well when she made that suggestion, it is highly unlikely that such a law will be passed. Here’s why.

Mandatory church attendance is unconstitutional.

The New York Daily News reported that the senator went so far as to detail a solution that she believed would keep people feeling safe without the need to carry a gun. She indicated that even though it would violate the Constitution in reference to separation of church and state, she wanted a mandatory law that requires people to go to church. Allen contends that the soul is corrupt, and “we are slowly eroding religion at every opportunity that we have.”

Experts in constitutional law and religious leaders agree that mandatory church attendance will not be the answer, because the government cannot force people to attend church. Even if people attend church, who says they still won’t carry guns?

Democratic Senator Steve Farley of Tucson was at that same meeting. He expressed his opinion that Senator Allen’s suggestion goes against the United States Constitution. He posted Allen’s comments on social media, and readers were shocked, and some were outraged over the suggestion that there should be mandatory church attendance for all Americans.

Instead of people agreeing with Senator Allen, she is being mocked for her suggestion. Arizona Republic columnist E.J. Montini mocked the senator’s suggestion on Thursday by writing a sarcastic letter to God about idea of mandatory church attendance. He started off his letter with the beginning words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father who art in heaven.” He ridiculed Allen’s suggestion throughout the letter and concluded with the words, “God help us.”

What do you think about mandatory church attendance? Would you go to church if you were forced to do so, or would you rebel against the law?

[Image via Raw Story]