In this file photo, the Oregon House of Representatives meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem on March 20, 2023.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
A conservative Oregon lawmaker suggested earlier this month that Muslims, atheists and other non-Christians are unfit to hold elected office.
State Rep. E. Werner Reschke, R-Malin, made these remarks on January 17, during an appearance on “Save The Nation.” Broadcast on Facebook, the daily talk show is affiliated with the National Association of Christian Legislators, including Reschke is a member. It presents itself as tackling “major public policy issues facing the United States today from a Christian worldview.”
The show’s host, former Arkansas lawmaker Jason Rapert, spent much of the 28-minute episode questioning Reschke about what he called the “sad reality of lax drug treatment.” » in Oregon. Reschke, who has repeatedly pushed for the repeal of 2020 Ballot Measure 110, responded that drug decriminalization has led to homelessness and crime and “makes our state unlivable.” The Klamath County lawmaker criticized Democrats for permissive policies and argued that spirituality and religious leaders are a necessary part of the solution.
About 22 minutes into the episode, Rapert asked a broader question: why Reschke believes it’s important for Christians “to be involved in government.” Reschke responded that he was inspired by figures like George Washington, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan to run for office in 2016.
“You go back in history and you look at the men and the struggles they faced and the faith they had,” Reschke said. “These are the kind of people you want in government making tough decisions in tough times. You don’t want a materialist. You don’t want an atheist. You don’t want a Muslim… You want someone who understands what the truth is and who understands the nature of man, the nature of government and the nature of God.
The remarks quickly drew criticism from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin nonprofit that advocates keeping religion out of governance. The group sent a letter to Reschke last week suggested that Washington, Lincoln and Madison were not the devout Christians he had portrayed, and chastised him for his comments.
“Your duty is to support the state and federal Constitutions and to protect the conscience rights of your constituents, not to promote your personal religious views, much less a Christian theocracy,” reads the letter, which calls on Reschke to “apologize to everyone”. “non-Christian and non-religious people” in his legislative district, or to resign.
Reschke’s comment was also reported by Right Wing Watchan initiative of the progressive advocacy group People for the American Way.
Reschke told OPB in an email that his comments were “grossly taken out of context.” But when asked for more detail on what he meant, that Muslims and other non-Christians are unfit to lead, Reschke did not respond.
Reaction was muted in the Oregon legislature. It’s unclear how many of the state’s 90 lawmakers identify as atheists, but the Legislature includes at least one Muslim member: state Sen. Kayse Jama, a Portland Democrat.
“I am disheartened to see any of my legislative colleagues express views contrary to American values, the U.S. Constitution, and our collective aspiration to build a more perfect union,” Jama said in a statement Monday after OPB was asked about Reschke’s remarks. “Our ability to live and work with our fellow Oregonians who speak different languages, pray or vote in different ways, celebrate different cultures is our strength.”
Born in Somalia to a nomadic family, Jama came to the United States as a refugee after civil war broke out in his home country. Before entering politics, Jama co-founded Unite Oregon, a group dedicated to improving racial and economic justice for people of color, immigrants, refugees, and people from low-income backgrounds.
“Like so many others, I came to this country because it offered the promise of opportunity and equality,” Jama said, adding, “My colleague’s rhetoric is all too common today. Divisive politics are dangerous, fueling an increase in hate crimes and violence against people who are Jewish, Muslim, Asian American, immigrants and refugees, and against those who have been “othered.”
Reschke told OPB he did not mean to suggest that Jama or any other non-Christian lawmaker was unfit to serve.
“I believe that Senator Jama is qualified to be a senator, as well as any other currently serving legislator, duly elected by the people or appointed by the county commissioners,” he said.
Reschke’s full comments suggest otherwise. Right after making his remark about Muslims and atheists, Reschke told his interviewer that in Oregon “we unfortunately have a lot of people who are godless and leading the way, and it’s the blind leading the blind.” .
House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, distanced himself from Reschke’s remarks when OPB asked him about it. But he did not directly refer to the lawmaker and instead used the opportunity to hit Democrats.
“House Republicans, like all elected members, take an oath to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Oregon,” Helfrich said in a statement. “Neither of the two documents contains religious criteria for access to an elective office. We welcome all people, regardless of faith, who share our values and want to see Oregon chart a new course away from the radical and destructive policies of the majority party.
Vote suggested that the West Coast, and Oregon in particular, are among the least religious regions of the United States. Pew Research Center study in 2014, found that 61% of adults in the state identify as Christian, while 31% are not affiliated with any religion and 1% identify as Muslim.
