Friend:

Last weekend, our country was rocked by two tragic mass shootings in Texas and Ohio. Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all the people in communities past and present who have had to endure the effects of all forms of gun violence.

In the wake of this news, we saw a return to age-old tactics among the Religious Right and Fox News agitators: blaming rising secularism for acts of violence. I want to make two points clear, friends.

These mass shootings have nothing to do with keeping coercive prayer and worship out of our public schools. Despite what Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said, compelling youngsters to pray in our schools is not the answer to gun violence. Moreover, at the root of this suggestion is the implication that non-Christians are more likely to commit these acts of violence than Christians. Divisive rhetoric like this is offensive and counter-productive.

These mass shootings have nothing to do with the fact that some Americans don’t believe in God. Our Constitution’s First Amendment gives everyone the right to practice any faith they want, including no faith at all, so long as they aren’t harming others. That freedom has been a cornerstone of peace and progress in America since our founding. Those who assert that “disconnecting from God” is to blame for these violent acts distort the reality of our democracy and insult our foundational American principles.

The national conversation around the epidemic of gun violence needs to include all views and opinions. But it must also be grounded in facts and honesty, not division and scapegoating.

Let’s keep working for a safer, more inclusive country for everyone.

In solidarity,