GOP Lawmaker Sends Every Member Of Congress A Bible For 'Decision-Making' Instruction

Days before Congress adjourned for its August recess, Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) sent a copy of the Bible to all 535 members of Congress, calling on lawmakers to reflect on “God’s word” when deciding on “policy decisions that impact America’s future.”

“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,” the Assistant House Majority Whip wrote on July 29 in a personal note accompanying the holy books. "However, I find that the best advice comes through meditating on God's word. Please find a copy of the Holy Bible to help guide you in your decision-making."

The letter, obtained by Talking Points Memo, states that the gifts were donated by J.B. Atchison, one of Palazzo's South Mississippi constituents, who requested that they be distributed to Congress so that lawmakers “could read God's word and abide by his 10 commandments.”

"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,'" Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, told TPM on Monday. "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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