State Rep. Monty Fritts, a Republican running for governor of Tennessee, told a television interviewer he would move to ban Islam in the state, including outlawing Muslim calls to prayer and trying to block the construction of new mosques. In the same interview, he said he would outlaw same sex marriage if elected, would criminalize abortion in all circumstances, including pregnancies that result from rape, and would deny the morning-after pill to rape victims. Fritts described himself as a “Christian nationalist” and said his policy agenda flows from his interpretation of Scripture.
As reported by NewsChannel 5, the remarks came in a nearly hour long sit down in which Fritts repeatedly filtered public policy questions through his religious beliefs. “I do think God's law is clear,” he told the station, and when pressed on whether he would outlaw same sex marriage, he answered, “I would, yes.”
Fritts is running as an insurgent conservative under the banner “Liberty & Less Government,” and his campaign materials lean heavily on religious language and a hard line social platform. According to Fritts4TN.com, his platform includes budget cuts, opposition to school vouchers, and a “Protecting Innocent Life” plank that signals his absolutist stance on abortion.
This is not the first time Fritts has drawn fire for his rhetoric. In January, PinkNews reported that he suggested doctors and parents of transgender youngsters “might be eligible to capital punishment,” a comment that sparked national condemnation. Local outlets have also linked Fritts to proposals that would expand criminal penalties around pregnancy and embryos, and coverage of his support for measures that critics say could broaden criminal liability includes a push to treat embryos as homicide victims.
What the law says
Legal experts note that any attempt to single out or ban a particular religion would run headfirst into the First Amendment, which protects both the free exercise of religion and bars government establishment of religion. As explained by the Legal Information Institute, the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses are interpreted to prevent government from targeting, favoring, or coercing religious practice. Courts have repeatedly struck down laws crafted to burden specific faiths, and the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, summarized by SCOTUSblog, protects the right to same sex marriage, creating an additional legal barrier for any statewide attempt to outlaw it.
Political fallout
Fritts told NewsChannel 5 he is unapologetic and does not intend to dial back his message, even if it alienates some voters. His remarks could complicate what is already a long shot bid against better funded Republican rivals. The gubernatorial primary field includes U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. John Rose, and Fritts's comments are likely to sharpen the contrast among candidates as the campaign heads toward the August primary. It was not immediately clear whether party leaders or his opponents planned to respond publicly to the interview.
What happens next remains unsettled. The interview is already generating national attention and raising legal questions, and it is likely to draw a response from faith groups, civil liberties organizations, and LGBT advocates across Tennessee. Fritts's campaign did not post any immediate follow up to the television appearance on his website beyond the existing materials that outline his platform.
