"When an Oklahoma Legislator Made My Faith a Prerequisite for Democracy" (Substack)

[KatyaR]

I read this today and am absolutely gobsmacked.

https://open.substack.com/pub/genxpletives/p/when-an-oklahoma-legislator-made?r=47ubw8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

(snip)
I never thought I’d have to prove my religious beliefs to participate in democracy. But in May 2025, that’s exactly what Oklahoma State Representative Jim Olsen asked me to do.
It Started With a Simple Email

Like many Oklahomans, I was concerned about Senate Concurrent Resolution 8—a resolution calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn marriage equality. The resolution, co-sponsored by Rep. Olsen and Senator Dusty Deevers, argues that marriage should be “recognized” as exclusively between one man and one woman, based on what it calls millennia of “biblical teaching.”

I’m not a political activist. I’m just a citizen who believes that when my government considers legislation affecting thousands of Oklahoma families, I should be able to voice my concerns.
(snip)

(snip)
On May 12, 2025, Representative Olsen wrote:

“OK, so looking at your original message, it looks like you are referencing (and trying to instruct Me in) Christian spirituality and biblical holiness. However, since you apparently have no personal experience or knowledge of these things, you have no legitimate qualification to lead or guide anyone in such matters."
(snip)

You have to read the entire post--it's horrifying!!! Christian Nationalists are going HARD in Oklahoma.

[biophile]

1. Well that is terrifying

[3catwoman3]

2. I often find myself thinking that rather than the Article VI "no religious test shall ever be required"...

...proviso, maybe there should be a religious test of some kind to eliminate all rightwing fundies who want everyone to think and believe the exact same thing they do. We agnostics and atheists would not be hell-bent on having everyone have the same beliefs (or lack thereof) that we do.