Speaker: Wis. Lawmaker Used State Resources For Video Encouraging Christianity
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Republican lawmaker used state resources to produce a Christmas video encouraging people to consider becoming Christians, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Tuesday.
Rep. Scott Allen's video has drawn complaints from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which argues the message amounted to overtly proselytizing. The foundation has filed an open records request with Vos' office asking for all documents associated with the video's production to determine whether state resources were used, noting the U.S. Constitution prohibits government sponsorship of religious messages.
Vos told The Associated Press during an interview that Allen made the video in the Legislature's television studio in the state Capitol's basement using state equipment. He said he felt Allen's message was "entirely appropriate."
"People are really making a mountain out of a molehill," Vos said.
Allen didn't immediately return a voicemail left at his Capitol office Tuesday. The freshman legislator represents a large portion of the city of Waukesha and parts of Waukesha County, the most conservative area of the state.
He posted a video on the state Assembly GOP's YouTube channel on Dec. 18 that shows him speaking in front of what appears to be a photograph of the giant Christmas tree in the Capitol rotunda. He invites anyone who isn't Christian to "consider the hope offered by the Prince of Peace."
He goes on to ask people who celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ to consider two Bible verses from Hebrews about people spurring one another on toward love and good deeds and how those who believe will be saved. He quotes portions of the verses directly.
Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, said in a telephone interview Tuesday that Vos confirmed the foundation's suspicion that Allen "used the machinery of the state to basically put forth a Christian proselytizing message."
She said if a Muslim had used state resources to try to convince people to follow Allah, there would be an uproar. It should be as equally concerning if the proselytizer is a Christian, she said. Now she's worried that Allen's message has set a precedent.
"This shouldn't be happening," she said.
She stopped short of saying the foundation would file a lawsuit, saying the group wants to wait for Vos to fulfill its record request.
"We try to end violations through persuasion and hoping reason will prevail," she said. "What we hope is it won't happen again, that we've raised some consciousness about why it's inappropriate."
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