Is Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., trying to establish a religious test for serving in the U.S. government? Critics say yes and have even called on Sanders to resign over his unconstitutional comments.

At the very least, Sanders’ grilling of Russell Vought, nominee for deputy director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, during a June 6 Senate confirmation hearing revealed his ignorance and intolerance of basic Christian doctrine. Vought wrote a January 2016 article defending his alma mater, Wheaton College, for dismissing a professor for her comments about Christianity and Islam. Sanders, angered by Vought’s Biblically orthodox statements—in his article and at the hearing—said he would not vote for the nominee.

“I would simply say, Mr. Chairman, that this nominee is really not someone who this country is supposed to be about,” Sanders declared.

Vought wrote the article during the furor over Larycia Hawkins, a professor at Wheaton College who said Christians and Muslims worship the same God. A Hawkins defender wrote that anyone with a “deficient (e.g., nontrinitarian) theology” can still be in a relationship with the God of the Bible.

In response, Vought noted Muslims have a bigger problem than deficient theology: “They do not know God because they have rejected Jesus Christ his Son, and they stand condemned.”

Sanders read the statement to Vought during his confirmation hearing. Clearly perturbed by Biblical orthodoxy, Sanders asked him, “Do you believe that that statement is Islamophobic?”

“Absolutely not,” Vought responded.

Sanders, who is ethnically Jewish but has not publicly ascribed to any faith, repeatedly and angrily asked Vought if he believed Muslims stood condemned. What about Jews? All non-Christians?

“As a Christian, I believe that all individuals are made in the image of God and are worthy of dignity and respect regardless of their religious beliefs. I believe that as a Christian that’s how I should treat all individuals …”

Sanders cut him off before he could finish and then pronounced his own condemnation.

Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., followed Sanders in addressing Vought but used his opening comments to take Sanders to task.

“To my colleagues on the Senate committee,” Gardner said. “I hope that we are not questioning the faith of others and how they interpret their faith to themselves.”

Critics, conservative and liberal, said Sanders crossed a line drawn by Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution, which forbids imposing a religious test for holding office.

Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, tweeted, “Does our national government now think that all non-Universalists should be banned from holding office because this country is not ‘for us’?”

Ellinor Grimmark Alliance Defending Freedom

Is Sweden ‘not for’ pro-life midwives?

A Christian midwife in Sweden failed the religious litmus test put to her by hospitals and clinics in her own country. They demanded she assist in performing abortions or forgo a career in healthcare. But on June 14, her attorneys will ask the European Court of Human Rights to compel Sweden to comply with international conscience-protection laws.

“Ellinor Grimmark’s case could determine whether people who value life at all stages of development will be able to pursue a medical career in the future,” said Robert Clarke, director of European advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom International.

Following a midlife career change, Grimmark found herself unemployable. As a pro-life midwife, Grimmark asked potential employers that her duties not include abortion. Swedish and European laws require employers to accommodate conscience objections but she found no such relief in Sweden. In April, the Swedish Labour Court of Appeals refused to protect Grimmark’s freedom of conscience and ordered her to pay 150,000 euros in legal fees.

Grimmark has moved to Norway where she is free to work in accordance with her beliefs but awaits the day she can return home. —B.P.

Ellinor Grimmark Alliance Defending Freedom

No home field advantage for Coach Kennedy

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Monday in the federal lawsuit brought by high school football coach Joseph Kennedy against his school district for forbidding his post-game prayer at center field.

The court is “trying to figure out” the facts of the case and what Kennedy is requesting, attorney Jeremy Dys with First Liberty Institute told me. First Liberty represents Kennedy.

Dys said the Bremerton School District’s restrictions violate federal religious accommodation regulations outlined in Title VII, in addition to constitutionally protected free speech and religious expression rights.

For seven seasons, Kennedy coached junior varsity and varsity football for the Bremerton School District. During all those years, he made a habit of taking a knee at center field and offering a quiet, personal prayer of thanksgiving. Over the years, his solitary act became a group prayer and motivational talk as players and coaches from both teams voluntarily joined him.

But in September 2015, the school district demanded Kennedy end the “problematic practice,” alleging it put the district at risk of violating the Establishment Clause.

Dys said Kennedy is willing to give up the post-game talks. He just wants to continue his 15-30 seconds of center field prayer. Dys expects the three-judge panel to take months to issue a ruling. —B.P.