The Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis, whose mission statement says its 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.”
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This story has been corrected to show Parson’s interview with Word&Way happened in 2017 not 2018.
This article originally appeared here.
