Former Vice President Mike Pence shared his opinion on religion and the First Amendment on Wednesday, sparking some controversy while speaking on Fox Business.
During his appearance, Pence said that the First Amendment does not protect people from having other people's faith forced onto them.
"Well, the radical left believes that the freedom of religion is the freedom from religion. But it's nothing the American founders ever thought of or generations of Americans fought to defend," Pence said.
However, critics have pointed to numerous remarks from several founding fathers that disagree with his statement, including Thomas Jefferson, who said that forcing religion on someone would be "an infringement of natural right."
Many have been confused about what Pence meant in his statement as it contradicts the freedom to choose or not to choose a religion clearly stated in the United States Constitution.
The First Amendment says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Pence didn't stop with his comments there, though, as he also said that the Supreme Court has a duty to side with one faith or the other and not sit on the fence.
"You know, I said today here in Houston that the source of our nation's greatness has always been our faith in God, our freedom, and our vast natural resources," Pence said. "And the good news is, that after four years of the Trump-Pence administration, I'm confident that we have a pro-religious freedom majority on the Supreme Court of the United States. And I'm confident that come Election Day, November the 8th, you're gonna see that freedom majority around the country turn out and vote pro-freedom majorities in the House, and in the Senate, and in statehouses around the country."
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