South Dakota Lawmakers Debate Religious Resolution, Founders Likely Dismayed

State legislators pass non-binding measure urging residents to 'return to the Lord,' raising concerns over church-state separation.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The South Dakota state legislature recently passed a non-binding resolution urging residents to 'return to the Lord' and invoke God to help the state, a move that Republican state Rep. Phil Jensen believes the Founding Fathers would be 'rolling over in their grave' to see. However, the Founders' opposition to such religious influence in government was rooted in their awareness of the dangers of sectarian dominance, not support for it.

Why it matters

The resolution highlights the ongoing tension between those who seek to inject more religious influence into American governance and the Founders' vision of a secular republic where the government remains separate from the dictates of any particular faith. This debate over church-state separation has significant implications for the rights and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.

The details

The resolution, sponsored by Republican Rep. Tony Randolph, passed both the state Senate and House, urging South Dakotans to 'return to the Lord Most High, the Almighty and Uncreate, and plead for His mercy upon the state.' Randolph argued that the nation is in its 'lowest moral state' and can only be saved by 'continual submission to the sovereignty of the Almighty.' However, the Founders, including Thomas Jefferson, were acutely aware of the dangers of religious dominance in government, having witnessed the 'disastrous, murderous wars' between European Catholic and Protestant states. They sought to carve out such sectarian influences from the new American republic's governance.

  • The resolution passed the state Senate on January 27, 2026.
  • The resolution passed the state House of Representatives on January 29, 2026.

The players

Rep. Phil Jensen

A Republican state representative from Rapid City, South Dakota, who believes the Founding Fathers would be 'rolling over in their grave' over the religious resolution.

Rep. Tony Randolph

The Republican state representative from Rapid City who sponsored the resolution urging South Dakotans to 'return to the Lord.'

Thomas Jefferson

One of the iconic Founding Fathers who stressed that a person's theological beliefs, or lack thereof, should have no bearing on the crafting of practical laws in America's secular republic.

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What they’re saying

“We are in the lowest moral state, probably, in the history of our nation. How do we deal with that? I say we go back to the root of what made this nation great and call on Him.”

— Rep. Tony Randolph, State Representative (South Dakota Searchlight)

“It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”

— Thomas Jefferson (Notes on the State of Virginia)

What’s next

The resolution is non-binding and symbolic, not creating any new laws or policies. However, the debate over the role of religion in government is likely to continue, with potential implications for issues like school prayer, abortion rights, and the separation of church and state.

The takeaway

This episode highlights the ongoing tension between those who seek to imbue American governance with more religious influence and the Founders' vision of a secular republic where the government remains separate from the dictates of any particular faith. Preserving this church-state separation is crucial for protecting the rights and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.