Interview with Pennsylvania legislator Babette Josephs

[rug]

Posted on Oct 28, 2012
Justin Vacula

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Babette Josephs - a Pennsylvania legislator who recently voted against a resolution declaring October 2012 in Pennsylvania as “Prayer Month” and refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance — noting that she viewed it as a prayer — at a House State Committee meeting. We spoke about separation of church and state, the “Prayer Month” resolution, the constant evoking of religion in Pennsylvania by lawmakers, the Pledge of Allegiance and her refusal to say it, issues facing Pennsylvanians, and more.

Can you explain what you think about separation of church and state?

Church has no business intruding into government affairs and shaping public policy to serve the ends of any religious group unless we’re talking about broad moral things like working hard. On other hand, I find it horrifying just how many church people could understand how the state can step in too. Neither one is acceptable; neither institution should seek to influence the other institution.

Some cases also turn into a balancing act. What’s the first amendment right of a [public school] teacher or student wearing a religious symbol? They are complex questions that get resolved in court systems. In broad terms, though, government has no business telling people how to practice their religion or to practice religion at all. People who belong to religions also have no business bringing their aims into government.

http://skepticink.com/justinvacula/2012/10/28/interview-with-pennsylvania-legislatior-babette-josephs/