Ariz. Senator Flippantly Suggests State Make Church Attendance Mandatory

An Arizona senator has reentlly suggested that the state make Sunday church attendance mandatory to encourage a "moral rebirth" in the nation. 

State Sen. Sylvia Allen (R-Snowflake) made her comments Tuesday during a committee meeting among lawmakers regarding concealed weapon permits.

During the committee meeting, Allen suggested the state establish mandatory church attendance requirements, arguing that people would be less likely to carry a weapon if they had a "moral rebirth."

"I believe what's happening to our country is that there's a moral erosion of the soul of America," Allen reportedly told her fellow lawmakers, as reported by KPHO-TV.

"It's the soul that is corrupt. How we get back to a moral rebirth I don't know. Since we are slowly eroding religion at every opportunity that we have. Probably we should be debating a bill requiring every American to attend a church of their choice on Sunday to see if we can get back to having a moral rebirth," she added.

"But since that would not be allowed and we would not even be debating that, I'm going to vote yes that people who are responsible who have a [concealed carry weapons] permit don't have to worry about their guns as they're out and about and doing business in whatever building they're in except ones that where they aren't allowed," she said.

Allen then defended herself in an interview with the Arizona Capital Times, saying the she made a "flippant comment" but also suggested that the U.S. has grown more secular in the past several decades since her childhood.

"People prayed, people went to church," she said, reflecting on growing up in the 1950's.

"I remember on Sundays the stores were closed," Allen said. "The biggest thing is religion was kicked out of our public places, out of our schools."