A group of House Democrats, led by Representative Jared Huffman, known for his secular humanist views, is up in arms over an invocation delivered by Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel ”“ Chino Hills, a prominent megachurch in California.

Huffman, alongside over two dozen Democrats, penned a letter criticizing Pastor Hibbs, labeling him as an “ill-qualified hate preacher” with a supposed “Christian nationalist agenda.” They accused him of contributing to the January 6th events and promoting hateful rhetoric against various groups.

The Democrats accused Speaker Mike Johnson of disregarding Chaplaincy guidelines by inviting Pastor Hibbs to deliver the invocation, suggesting a bias towards a specific religious viewpoint.

Here’s the full text of the prayer that triggered the Democrats:

LET’S PRAY. ALL MIGHTY GOD AND FATHER OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, TOGETHER WE COME BEFORE YOU IN HUMILITY AS THE PEOPLE IN NEED OF YOUR FORGIVENESS, YOUR MERCY, YOUR GOODNESS, AND YOUR GRACE. FOR THESE 250 SO YEARS, OUR FATHERS IN THIS CONGRESS HAVE PRAYED FOR YOUR GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION, AND SO WE STAND HERE IN HUMBLE PETITION THAT YOU TODAY MIGHT DO THE SAME, THAT THIS NATION AND ITS UNPARALLELED CONSTITUTION, YOUR GREAT GIFT TO ALL FREEDOM-LOVING PEOPLE MIGHT BE RENEWED HERE AND ACROSS THIS LAND AS A BEACON OF HOPE TO ALL WHO SEEK PEACE. I ASK YOU TODAY, FATHER. TO BRING TO US A GREAT AWAKENS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND CONFIDENCE IN YOU, WHO ALONE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE. HEAR MY CRY IN THIS HOUR OF GREAT NEED THAT WE MIGHT BE HUMBLY BLESSED BEFORE YOU IN THE REPENTANCE OF OUR NATIONAL SINS. YOU ALL MIGHTY GOD ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL WISDOM AND THERE IS NO WISDOM BUT THAT WHICH COMES FROM YOU, SO PLEASE COME UPON THOSE HERE WHO ARE THE STEWARDS OVER THE BUSINESS OF OUR NATION WITH YOUR WISDOM WHICH COMES FROM ABOVE. AND WITH YOUR HOLY FEAR KNOWING THAT YOUR COMING DAY OF JUDGMENT DRAWS NEAR, WHEN ALL WHO HAVE BEEN AND ARE NOW IN THE AUTHORITY WILL ANSWER TO YOU, THE GREAT JUDGE OF HEAVEN AND OF EARTH, FOR THE DECISIONS THAT THEY MAKE HERE IN THIS PLACE. I OFFER THIS PRAYER TO YOU, FATHER, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR SON, YOUR SON, AND OUR CRUCIFIED SAVIOR AND RESURRECTED LORD. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.Jack Hibbs

Huffman expressed his outrage, stating, “After we picked our jaws up off the floor upon learning that this hate preacher had been allowed to give a guest invocation, I think many of us decided we need to start calling this out,” in an interview with Roll Call.

In response, Pastor Hibbs vehemently denied any involvement in the Capitol attack and challenged Huffman to provide evidence linking him to it. He defended his reputation as a devout preacher, emphasizing his commitment to biblical principles.

Critics of Huffman’s stance argue that Pastor Hibbs is a respected figure within evangelical circles and that Huffman’s objections stem from ideological differences rather than legitimate concerns.

The incident has reignited debates over the role of religion in public discourse and the boundaries of religious expression in governmental settings.

Thanks to our friends at ToddStarnes.com for contributing to this article.