Commonwealth Policy Center

Should pastors and spiritual leaders be allowed to gather to hear a message from the governor and to pray for him? A group call the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) doesn’t think so. In fact, they’re investigating Gov. Bevin because they believe a pastor’s gathering that he spoke to was illegal. FFRF Director of Strategic Response Andrew L. Seidel criticized the event and said, “If this was a campaign event, Bevin couldn’t use state resources. If this was a religious event, Bevin couldn’t use state resources. Either way, it’s hard to imagine how this is not an abuse of power. We’re going to find out.” FFRF is upset because Bevin’s faith informs his politics and he’s governed accordingly. He proclaimed 2016 the year of the Bible; called for pastors to lead prayer walks in violent Louisville neighborhoods; and promoted Bring Your Bible to School Day. None of these violate the federal constitution or the state constitution which begins “We the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky grateful to Almighty God…”