From Press Release
State Sen. Jake Chapman (R-Adel) said he was pleased with Monday’s turnout in support of religious freedom at the Iowa Statehouse. Senator Chapman, who was the event’s primary organizer, was joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and citizens from across Iowa who are interested in broadening the conversation about religious freedom to build on common ground.
“This nation was built on and has prospered because of our rights to not only believe what we may, but also to express those beliefs,” Senator Chapman said. “Religious freedom should not and does not impose on any of us the requirement to run from our faith and our beliefs.
“It is our duty, this day, and every day to preserve our right to worship God Almighty according to the dictates of our own consciences. It is my belief that our national morality cannot be broadly maintained without a strong, free, and diverse religious landscape.”
The event presented a strong, diverse and free religious climate, where all citizens are free to express and act on what they deeply believe. It coincided with the date of President Thomas Jefferson’s birthday. Jefferson was the author of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom which inspired the First Amendment to the US Constitution. The Virginia statute envisioned a society where no one is compelled to support or denounce any particular religious viewpoint, but that all are free to argue their opinions in matters of religion without fear of public censure.
“America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good America will cease to be great,” Senator Chapman said in his closing remarks.
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