Louie Gohmert: “I enjoy hearing my friend from Texas, a former judge down in Houston, talk about love. I do love him as a Christian…”

“I enjoy hearing my friend from Texas, a former judge down in Houston, talk about love. I do love him as a Christian brother. We can disagree and still love each other. I have been surprised in recent years to find some of those of us who believe in the Book that used to be read here. It was a pretty common practice on the floor of the House on Sundays down in Statuary Hall, and even in this room, back when church services were held in the former House Chamber. It was attended by the man that first coined the phrase, ``separation of church and State.'' It is not in the Constitution. It was in his letter to the Danbury Baptists. He came to a nondenominational Christian worship service down the hall. Of course, Thomas Jefferson would even bring the Marine Band and have them play hymns. Because although he made clear he believed in separation of church and State, and used that phrase, he didn't see any problem with singing hymns and having the Marine Band play the hymns to accompany right here in the U.S. Capitol. I have been surprised in recent years at how prominent the Bible was in our founding, so much so that toward the end of June 1787, the Constitutional Convention was at wits' end, having a great deal of trouble, and Randolph from Virginia made a motion that they all convene together on the Nation's birthday and worship God together in services under the auspices of the Bible. They came back and were able to reach a conclusion that we call the Constitution.…”