FFRF says the Constitution bars religious tests and Muslim Americans have every right to serve
Freedom From Religion FoundationOrganization advocating separation of state and church, on X
The Freedom From Religion Foundation responds to a clip of Hibbs's post-election remarks by saying the Constitution prohibits religious tests for office, that Muslim Americans have every right to serve, and that the Muslim candidates appear more committed to everyone's rights than the Christian nationalists Hibbs supports.
Responding to
Muslims elected to office in the United States cannot swear allegiance to the Constitution because it is forbidden in Islam, and must swear allegiance to Sharia law instead.
“The Constitution prohibits religious tests for office. Muslim Americans have every right to serve. A constitutional republic requires respecting everyone's rights, something these candidates appear more committed to than the Christian nationalists Hibbs supports.”
Original post
Original post
Where this statement fits
Pastor Jack Hibbs says Muslim officeholders cannot swear allegiance to the Constitution; CAIR-LA condemns the remarks
In a sermon to his congregation at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in Southern California after the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, senior pastor Jack Hibbs said 255 Muslims had been elected to office on Tuesday and said they "cannot swear allegiance to the Constitution. It is forbidden in Islam. They must swear allegiance to Sharia law, which is a completely different government." He said the country had said no to the republic and "yes to the very government and military and religion that hit us on September 11th, 2001," and he posted the 2:24 clip on YouTube and on X, where he captioned it "The Republic is over." A slide shown during the remark credits its counts to CAIR's 2026 directory, which CAIR and CAIR Action released in August 2026 and which counts Muslims already serving in office. Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR's Greater Los Angeles office, said the remarks are "rooted in bigotry," and the Freedom From Religion Foundation said Muslim Americans "have every right to serve." Commentator Gunther Eagleman wrote that the pastor is right, and author Eric Metaxas wrote that he agrees with every word except the conclusion that the Republic is over. We did not find a public response from Hibbs to the criticism as of November 12, 2026.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
X post by the Freedom From Religion Foundation quoting a Right Wing Watch post with a clip from Hibbs's November 4, 2026 communion service, in which he says the election of Muslim candidates cannot coexist with a constitutional republic.
Original post
About this source
Post by Right Wing Watch, a project of People For the American Way, with a clip from Hibbs's November 4, 2026 Post Election Communion service. In the clip Hibbs says that more than 60 Muslim candidates ran across the country and most won, and that the country cannot have that happen and maintain a constitutional republic.
Jack Hibbs tells a communion service at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills on November 4, 2026 that most of the Muslim candidates in the election won and that the country cannot have that happen and maintain a constitutional republic.
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Video: Real Life with Jack Hibbs, posted on X by Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch). Excerpt used for news reporting and commentary
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Post text and video)
Before the quotation
Right Wing Watch posted a clip from Hibbs's November 4, 2026 communion service in which he said of the Muslim candidates' wins: "You can't have that happen and maintain a constitutional republic."
After the quotation
Hibbs's later sermon clip, in which he says Muslim officeholders cannot swear allegiance to the Constitution, circulated on X the same day.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is Jack Hibbs's sermon remarks that Muslim officeholders cannot swear allegiance to the Constitution. FFRF responded to a clip from Hibbs's November 4 service, part of the same post-election remarks about Muslim officeholders, in which he said the country cannot have their election and maintain a constitutional republic. FFRF rejects that premise outright, saying Muslim Americans have every right to serve, so condemns fits; it does more than dispute Hibbs's description of the election.
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More from this case
Read the full caseEric Metaxas says he agrees with every word of Hibbs's clip except that the Republic is over
“I agree w/every word, except Jack's conclusion that the Republic is over. It is our job to pray, pray, pray for a miracle from God. And to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT. This is the ultimate wake-up call. Is your pastor awake or sleeping?”Read statement
Gunther Eagleman says the pastor said what most won't and is right
“THIS PASTOR SAID WHAT MOST WON'T: After the midterms, an American pastor stood in front of his church and warned of an "Islamic takeover of America." Then he put up the faces of the Muslim candidates who just won seats in American government. His message to every Christian who stayed home: "Those of you who didn't vote, you voted." He's RIGHT. Every seat you didn't fight for, someone else took. Churches can't sit out elections anymore. Neither can you.”Read statement
Hussam Ayloush says Hibbs's remarks are rooted in bigotry and cast Muslims as less American
“We strongly condemn these hateful and irresponsible remarks targeting the Muslim community and questioning their participation in American civic life. Pastor Hibbs is contributing to a broader climate of fear and prejudice, encouraging his congregation to view their Muslim neighbors with suspicion and hostility. Such rhetoric is rooted in bigotry and perpetuates the false notion that Muslims are somehow less American or less deserving of a voice in our democracy.”Read statement
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- FFRF says the Constitution bars religious tests and Muslim Americans have every right to serve
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The Dispute Index. "FFRF says the Constitution bars religious tests and Muslim Americans have every right to serve". First published: 2026-11-12. Last updated: 2026-11-12. https://disputeindex.com/events/8680-the-freedom-from-religion-foundation-responds-to-a