John Bickley

Joining us to discuss the role faith and particularly Christianity plays in public life here in the U.S. is Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation. First of all, thank you so much for joining us.

So it's Easter weekend. You recently published an op-ed arguing that the U.S. is a Christian nation at its core and that we should embrace this fact. I want to talk to you about that premise. First, how important is it that our founding was based on Christian values?

So it's Easter weekend. You recently published an op-ed arguing that the U.S. is a Christian nation at its core and that we should embrace this fact. I want to talk to you about that premise. First, how important is it that our founding was based on Christian values?

And what are some of those values that you believe are core that maybe have deteriorated or need to be revitalized?

And what are some of those values that you believe are core that maybe have deteriorated or need to be revitalized?

Speaking of that, how does that not turn into laws that restrict people? So for example, maybe sexual, moral issues. Practically, how do you help encourage a more Judeo-Christian view on this in terms of responsibilities without becoming legalistic?

Speaking of that, how does that not turn into laws that restrict people? So for example, maybe sexual, moral issues. Practically, how do you help encourage a more Judeo-Christian view on this in terms of responsibilities without becoming legalistic?

So you're saying that this begins with maximizing religious freedom, making sure we don't curtail those freedoms, thus encouraging more participation in religious activities, more empowerment of the churches. Is that the foundation of this?

So you're saying that this begins with maximizing religious freedom, making sure we don't curtail those freedoms, thus encouraging more participation in religious activities, more empowerment of the churches. Is that the foundation of this?

Now, the focus on separation of church and state, this has been much debated, obviously, over the centuries. And even the source of this, a lot of people think this is in the Constitution. It's not. Do you see the perspective on that changing? Do you see this moving in a particular direction in recent decades?

Now, the focus on separation of church and state, this has been much debated, obviously, over the centuries. And even the source of this, a lot of people think this is in the Constitution. It's not. Do you see the perspective on that changing? Do you see this moving in a particular direction in recent decades?

Yeah, that void is certainly filled in rapidly by the government. Now, you mentioned the Biden administration and its handling of religious freedom. A lot of, frankly, just egregious examples of this. I want to talk about some specific ones, pro-life people and the FACE Act, the way the FACE Act was used against pro-lifers. Can you expand on that? I know you've addressed this in the past.

Yeah, that void is certainly filled in rapidly by the government. Now, you mentioned the Biden administration and its handling of religious freedom. A lot of, frankly, just egregious examples of this. I want to talk about some specific ones, pro-life people and the FACE Act, the way the FACE Act was used against pro-lifers. Can you expand on that? I know you've addressed this in the past.

And do we see a reversal on that?

And do we see a reversal on that?

Right. And we also saw on the flip side of that, not much interest in pursuing those who had vandalized churches or pro-life centers. Again, really kind of disturbing and egregious examples from the Biden administration. Hopefully, we will see a reversal of that.

Right. And we also saw on the flip side of that, not much interest in pursuing those who had vandalized churches or pro-life centers. Again, really kind of disturbing and egregious examples from the Biden administration. Hopefully, we will see a reversal of that.

But is there a danger that this goes too far and ends up swinging the other way and that we sort of have a special status for Christians among federal employees or how they're handled in situations like face act cases?

But is there a danger that this goes too far and ends up swinging the other way and that we sort of have a special status for Christians among federal employees or how they're handled in situations like face act cases?

Now, in your op-ed, you also talk about the U.S. role on the global stage in terms of influence with religious freedom. You argue we should be leading on that front. In what ways do you see us being leaders for other nations when it comes to religious freedom?