Church-State Updates: Vouchers, Free Speech and Hate Crimes
Written by Don Byrd
Different Attitudes About Religion, Politics in Ohio Race
Written by Don Byrd
Ohio RFRA Bill Proposed
Written by Don ByrdOhio state representatives have proposed a version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. If adopted, it would make Ohio the 18th state with such a law. Generally, RFRA statutes (which have some small but significant variations from state to state) allow government to substantially burden a person’s religion only if a compelling reason requires it.The idea is to protect citizens from the neutral laws of the state that happen to impact their faith.
Ohio Science Teacher Firing Upheld by State Supreme Court
Written by Don Byrd
Ohio School Settles Lawsuit Over Jesus Portrait
Written by Don ByrdPublic school hallways are no place for administrators to promote their religious beliefs. Students should be able to enter the building and walk from class to class without being proselytized by the same officials we have entrusted to educate them. Those officials should not be able to do in messages or pictures on the wall what they can’t do in person. So it’s unsurprising that a portrait of Christ hanging in the Jackson High School in Jackson, Ohio generated controversy. Five anonymous plaintiffs filed suit challenging the use of the picture as a violation of the separation of church and state.
