The Founding Fathers knew about the dangers of sectarianism from the bitter history of the Old World, which is why the Constitution forbade a religious test for office. In America, you can believe in any faith or none -- and Americans have come to expect that religious tests by their representatives won't be applied in any sphere.

Unfortunately, state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, a Republican from Cranberry, was oblivious to this truth last week. Not for the first time in his career, he rushed in where angels fear to tread.

It happened Wednesday during House consideration of non-controversial resolutions. One was to honor the 60th annual convention this weekend in Harrisburg of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The description of Resolution 809 offered by Speaker Dennis O'Brien, a Republican from Philadelphia, painted the organization as one of high-minded purposes, including humanitarian service. Mr. Metcalfe had no argument with this.

But he said: "The Muslims do not recognize Jesus Christ as God and I will be voting negative." It came off as an insult not only to Muslims but also to Jews, Hindus and others, some undoubtedly his constituents. In fact, it came off as an insult to the very idea of America.

What had concerned him was one part of the resolution that referenced Pennsylvania's heritage of religious freedom and read: "WHEREAS, William Penn's desire was to gain love and friendship by a kind, just and peaceable life and to establish a society that was godly, virtuous and exemplary for all of humanity...."

Mr. Metcalfe believed this erroneously drew a connection from William Penn's Christian faith (and his own) to a religion that had a different definition of God. The legislator told the Post-Gazette he thought he was merely stating the truth and he meant no offense. He said he would have voted for the resolution if it were worded differently but the resolution was being rushed through. In the end, it was not voted on.

His objection reminds us of those, who, in St. Matthew's Gospel, strain out a gnat only to swallow a camel. Mr. Metcalfe may have meant his remark innocently, but if you make a career of saying ill-considered things, then as ye sow so shall ye reap -- this time a controversy needlessly incited and hurtful to all sorts of people.