Governor's 'Christian values' statement questioned

Gov. Mike Parson has no "litmus test for appointments," his spokeswoman said Friday, despite a statement earlier in the week indicating he would only nominate a state health director who shared his "Christian values."

The Republican governor, a Baptist, was angered after the Missouri Senate effectively ousted Donald Kauerauf as director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Though Kauerauf opposes government mask and vaccine mandates and opposes abortion, hardline conservatives in the legislature questioned whether he was conservative enough.

In announcing Kauerauf's resignation Tuesday, Parson wrote in a statement: "Don is a public health expert that is on record opposing masking requirements and COVID-19 vaccine mandates. He is outspokenly pro-life and morally opposed to abortion. Missourians know that I share these beliefs and would not have nominated someone who does not share the same Christian values."

The statement prompted some to wonder whether only Christians need apply for top-level jobs in the Parson administration.

"I'm curious Governor, is this a standard you traditionally use?" Republican state Rep. Adam Schwadron of St. Charles wrote on Twitter. "Article VI of the US Constitution strictly prohibits a religious test as a qualification to any office or public trust. Considering that, I then must ask the question. Would someone who is Jewish, such as myself, be considered for nomination?"

But Kelli Jones, spokeswoman for Parson, said in an email the governor's statement "was intended to point out that Don Kauerauf shared values that aligned with the Governor's and was not intended to imply that he imposes a requirement that job applicants adhere to any particular religion."

Parson, Jones said, "has never required a religious litmus test for appointments as evidenced by the broad spectrum of religious backgrounds of his appointees. Just because an appointee happens to possess values that align with the Governor's Christian faith doesn't mean that he requires them to adhere to his religion."

Jones cited as an example Parson's appointment of former state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed of St. Louis to the state Board of Probation and Parole. Nasheed is a Democrat and a Muslim.

Still, Parson's statement drew plenty of criticism.

"The governor's remarks are offensive and undermine our nation's promise of religious freedom, which is the fundamental right to believe or not, as we choose, and to know that our government will treat us equally," said Rachel Laser, CEO of Americans for Separation of Church and State.

The Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis, whose mission statement says it's goal is to deepen "understanding, respect and appreciation among all persons across lines of religious difference," expressed concern in an open letter to Parson.

"People of all faiths and no faith, in a variety of occupations and vocations, make significant contributions to our state and community every day," the letter stated.

In a 2017 interview with the Jefferson City-based Christian publication Word&Way, then Lt. Gov. Parson discussed the importance of faith in his role as a government leader.

"First of all, I can't even begin to imagine to do these jobs if you don't have faith," Parson said. "I mean, if you're not a believer, there's no way, I believe, you can be a truly effective leader because when you are in this arena you are a leader. And to make decisions without faith, to me, would be impossible. I don't know how you make the decision and how you're going to affect the future if you don't have belief and faith."