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by Lisa Rantala
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A debate is unfolding inside the Ohio Statehouse over a proposed bill known as "The Charlie Kirk Heritage Act," which aims to incorporate teachings on the positive impacts of Christianity in Ohio's schools. The bill's sponsors argue that the Christian religion has played a significant role in shaping American history and should be included in educational curricula.
Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, emphasized the historical contributions of Christians, stating, "There were Christians who tried to use the scripture to justify slavery and that was wrong. But there were more Christians and other Christians who were leading in the abolitionist movement and they were the victors when it comes to that."
The bill proposes that public school teachers and instructors at state colleges highlight Christianity's influence on events such as the Pilgrims' arrival, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Ten Commandments' impact on American law.
However, the bill has sparked controversy, with critics questioning whether it violates the First Amendment and the separation of church and state. Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amhurst, expressed concerns, saying, "The idea of church and state was to separate the idea for a state or a country to say that it is Christianity is the teachings of the God we're talking about."
While the bill's sponsors assert that it does not permit the Bible to be taught in public schools, some lawmakers argue that focusing on one religion could breach the constitutional separation between church and state. The bill is currently under review by the House of Representatives Education Committee, with the next hearing set to include testimony from opponents. The ACLU is expected to testify against the bill in future sessions.
