Every ten years, the states redraw their Congressional districts according to the results of the national census. Every state has its own process for the redistricting. Some states create districts according to the political goals of whichever party is currently in power, and some states make an honest effort to redistrict in a non-partisan way. In an effort to set up a fair process, Arizona created an Independent Redistricting Commission. Unfortunately, that effort has not been totally successful. The Verde Independent reported on December 14th that an applicant for the Commission may have been disqualified for religious reasons.
According to the article:
"House Speaker Kirk Adams, R-Mesa, said Monday the only comment made last week about the nomination of Tucsonan Christopher Gleason to the commission was by one screening panel member who pointed to Gleason's involvement with a Christian organization. That panelist, Louis Araneta, an attorney and former judge, questioned whether Gleason could separate issues of church and state.
The article stated the basis of the comment:
"Gleason said his civic activities include involvement 4-Tucson, part of Vision 360 for Tucson. He said the goal of the organization is "to serve as a catalyst to engage the Christian Community in the needs and dreams of Tucson to bring about spiritual renewal and prosperity to the glory of God' to make Tucson one of the most liveable cities in the world.
"Gleason said those words came directly from the organization's mission statement."
Since this information about the screening panel became public, the commission has denied that Mr. Gleason was turned down for the board due to his religion.
Mr. Gleason commented on the decision:
""If this is what the (screening) commission is doing on a non-judicial appointment, what are they doing with judicial appointments?' Gleason asked. "Is there some sort of a non-religious litmus test, or non-faith litmus test for judicial appointments?'"
Religious discrimination is illegal. I hope that if Mr. Cleason's involvement in a Christian organization is the reason he was disqualified from the Redistricting Commission that the person (or people) on the screening committee who was guilty of religious discrimination will be taken off the committee.
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