Arizona censures Dem lawmaker for hiding Bibles.

The Arizona House Censures Democratic State Representative for Hiding Bibles

The Arizona House of Representatives has censured Democratic state representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton for hiding Bibles that were placed in the House members’ lounge. Hamilton was caught on camera moving two Bibles under the couch cushions and hiding another in the refrigerator. Three Republicans filed a complaint against her, accusing her of theft and disorderly conduct. After a House Ethics investigation recommended disciplining her, House members voted 30-28 to censure her. A prior vote to expel her, pushed by Republicans, failed to pass in a 27-31 vote.

Christian House Members Express Offense Over Hamilton’s Conduct

During the debate over Hamilton’s censure and expulsion, several Christian House members expressed offense over her conduct. Republican state representative Justin Heap asked, “What do we as a body value more: the reputations of Arizona politicians or the reputation of God in the world?” He contrasted the reaction to Hamilton’s conduct with a hypothetical scenario in which a House member put a Quran in a freezer, saying it would be charged as a hate crime. Republican state representative Rachel Jones said, “It is just very disturbing and offensive to think that I may have been sitting on the Bible.”

Some Democrats took the opposite view, saying that Hamilton should be forgiven, in line with the teachings of the Bible. Democratic state representative Mae Peshlakai said, “One thing I learned from the Bible is to forgive and to be kind to people. I still believe in forgiveness.” Democratic state representative Athena Salman took issue with the process through which Hamilton was caught, accusing Republicans of orchestrating a campaign to “harass and bully Stahl Hamilton” by installing “a spy cam in the members’ lounge.”

Republican state representative David Marshall claimed that Hamilton’s conduct was indicative of a wider pattern of hatred for Christianity and the Bible, pointing to tweets she made in 2020, saying she was running for office after being tired of seeing Bibles on legislators’ desks. “This is not just a protest, this is something that went on for several years, and it was done because of the disdain she has for [the] holy word,” Marshall said.

Hamilton Apologizes for Her Actions

Hamilton apologized for her actions and claimed they were a protest against the perceived lack of separation between church and state. She also described her actions as a “simple little prank.” Aside from being a representative, Hamilton is also a Presbyterian minister.

• Key Takeaway: The Arizona House of Representatives has censured Democratic state representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton for hiding Bibles that were placed in the House members’ lounge. The incident has sparked a debate between Christian and Democratic House members over the importance of forgiveness and the separation of church and state.

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