Summit Speaker: Gov. Jindal

Gov. Bobby Jindal is one of the highlighted speakers at Legatus’ 2015 Summit . . .

Governor Bobby Jindal

Not only is Bobby Jindal the 55th and current governor of Louisiana, but he’s also the vice chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Born in Baton Rouge to immigrants from India, Jindal is a convert from Hinduism — first to evangelical Christianity and then Catholicism. He was first elected to the U.S. House in 2004, then governor in 2007 and again in 2011. He recently spoke with editorial assistant Tim Drake.

What led you to consider Catholicism?

It was all part of one continuous process. The entire faith experience, starting as a Hindu and ending as a Catholic, was about a seven-year process. I became Christian the summer after my junior year of high school. I saw a film depiction of Christ being crucified. I figured that if that was God, dying for me, then how arrogant for me to do anything but get on my knees and worship him.

When I attended Brown University, I had made a promise to a friend back home that I would attend a Catholic Mass. I started attending daily Mass, but I never really understood the rituals and the beauty. I came to appreciate the Mass and had a spiritual longing for the Eucharist. As I began my sophomore year of college, I was baptized and confirmed.

What do you plan to speak about at the Legatus Summit?

I’m interested in discussing and sharing about my faith, but also on the issue of the assault on religious liberty that’s going on in our country. Christians around the world are facing a shooting war, but here there is a silent war going on against those of us who want to live our faith. This is a very important issue for our time. America didn’t create religious liberty; religious liberty created America.

You’re the son of immigrants. What’s most vital in immigration reform?

One, we have it completely backwards today. We have a low wall and a narrow gate. That’s opposite of what we need. We need a high wall and a broad gate. We make it too easy for people to come here illegally and too hard for those who want to come here legally.

Secondly, we also have to reform our legal system. There are those who want to come here legally and work here and come for a better life. We must secure the border, but we also need to reform the legal pathways to our country.

In August, you sued the federal government over Common Core.

The worst part about it is giving up local control of education. Under the 10th Amendment, the federal government does not have the right to make curricular decisions. It’s a classic bait-and-switch. The government is inserting itself — just as it did with medical care — into so many decisions. It’s dangling a carrot in terms of funding, but then saying that it’s allowing states to back out.

There was a rush to implement [Common Core] without proper deliberation and parental input. The most dangerous thing about this is that it’s the federal government enforcing a one-size-fits all curricular approach.

Do you have any aspirations for public office beyond Louisiana?

I still have a year as governor. I’m absolutely thinking and praying about what I’ll do after being governor. We won’t make a decision until after November.

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