Charlotte, NC, July 30, 2026 —

NASHVILLE, TN – State Representative Monty Fritts, a Republican candidate vying for the Tennessee governorship, has stated his intention to ban mosques and non-Christian religions should he be elected. In a recent interview, Fritts specifically named Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism as religions he believes should be prohibited.

Fritts articulated his reasoning, asserting that Islam is not solely a religion but also a political movement. He expressed the view that this movement is fundamentally incompatible with both the U.S. Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution.

Furthermore, Fritts challenged the application of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. He argued that the constitutional prohibition against establishing religion applies exclusively to the federal Congress and does not extend to individual states. This interpretation suggests a belief that states would have the authority to restrict or ban religious practices within their borders.

The candidate’s remarks propose a significant departure from established religious freedom principles in the United States. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Historically, this protection has been interpreted to apply to state governments as well through the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.

Fritts’ statements outline a platform that directly challenges the religious liberties guaranteed to citizens. The specific details regarding the implementation or legal basis for such proposed bans were not further elaborated in the reported interview.



Story summarized from the original created by Joe Birch, Gray News staff on www.wbtv.com, see more information here.

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