‘DIVISIVE’

GOP Lawmaker Begged Jesus for ‘Forgiveness’ Before Swearing In of Muslim Woman

Pennsylvania legislator invoked the name of Jesus 13 times.

A Republican state lawmaker begged for forgiveness from Jesus just before the Pennsylvania statehouse swore in its first Muslim woman. State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz invoked Jesus 13 times in her address, which some of her colleagues have condemned as divisive and Islamophobic, The Washington Post reports. “God forgive us—Jesus—we’ve lost sight of you, we’ve forgotten you, God, in our country, and we’re asking you to forgive us,” said Borowicz, of Lock Haven. “I claim all these things in the powerful, mighty name of Jesus, the one who, at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess, Jesus, that you are Lord, in Jesus’ name.” Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell, a Muslim Democrat who was sworn in shortly after Borowicz made her Jesus address, told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star: “It blatantly represented the Islamophobia that exists among some leaders—leaders that are supposed to represent the people.” Rep. Jordan Harrell criticized Borowicz for “weaponizing” her religion.