‘Faith Is Who I Am’: NYC Mayor Reaffirms That Faith Shapes His Policies After ‘Separation Of Church And State’ Controversy

Eric Adams, New York City Democratic Mayor, doubled his belief in God and its influence on his governance style on Sunday.

Democrats were critical of Adams’ comments at last week’s interfaith breakfast, where he seemed to dismiss the notion of separation between church and state. CNN interview. “State of the Union” Adams stated Sunday that he supports the idea, but reiterated that his faith is a major determinant of his decisions as mayor.

“[L]et’s be clear on something,” Adams said. “The last words I said after I was sworn in [were] ‘so help me God.’ On our dollar bill, we have ‘In God We Trust.’ Every president touched a religious book when they were sworn in, except for three.”

“Faith is who I am,” Adams continued. “And anyone who takes those words as stated that I’m going to try to compel people to follow my religion, no. I’m a child of God. I believe that wholly. I’m going to follow the law, I’m not going to compel people who believe in whatever faith it could be. If you’re in a synagogue, a Baptist church, a Buddhist temple, I’m in all of them. And that’s what was in my service.”

Adams clarified later that he supported the church-state seperation.

“I want to be very clear on this, so it won’t be distorted. Government should not interfere with religion. Religion should not interfere with government,” He said. “That can’t happen. And it should never happen. But my faith is how I carry out the practices that I do and the policies, such as helping people who are homeless, such as making sure that we show compassion in what we do in our city.”

“Don’t tell me about no separation of church and state.”

Eric Adams, New York City mayor, discusses controversial comment he made at interfaith breakfast. @CNNSotu #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/KtMCSb6Dm4

— CNN (@CNN) March 5, 2023

Adams was last to turn heads Tuesday He spoke of the importance to instill faith in American children when he addressed them. He recited the words of Ingrid Lewis Martin, his chaplain who stated that the mayor’s office didn’t believe in separation of state and church during his remarks.

“Don’t tell me about no separation of church and state,” Adams. “State is the body. Church is the heart. You take the heart out of the body, the body dies. I can’t separate my belief because I’m an elected official. When I walk, I walk with God. When I talk, I talk with God. When I put policies in place, I put them in with a Godlike approach to them. That’s who I am.”

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Eric Adams is the NYC Mayor “Don’t tell me about no separation of church and state. State is the body. Church is the heart. You take the heart out of the body, the body dies” pic.twitter.com/nBx6mEFlBT

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) March 1, 2023

Adams’ assertions sparked anger from many, including the ACLU’s New York state affiliate, NYCLU.

“We are a nation and a city of many faiths and no faith,” Donna Lieberman is the Executive Director at NYCLU. “In order for our government to truly represent us, it must not favor any belief over another, including non-belief.”

CNN’s Dana Bash reported that the comments were made by one of the attending rabbis. “dangerous.”

Daniel Chaitin contributed this report.

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