What people are saying:

• Secular Education Association: Yes — the bill is literally called the “Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act.”

  Full bill text:
  https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb486

• Facebook User: So can we talk about how Native Americans or Indians if you will were killed because they refuse to convert to Christianity? Or how African-Americans a.k.a. slaves were not emancipated from slavery even after converting to Christianity? Can we do a compare and contrast of today’s environment to the crusades of the 1490s?
• Facebook User: Of course it shouldn’t be taught. The bill is ridiculous too.
• Facebook User: How about the harmful impacts of religions throughout history?
• Facebook User: I wonder how they’re going to fit all the religions practiced in this country into a single semester. /s
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User EXACTLY. Ohio public schools serve students from dozens of religious backgrounds — and many with no religion at all. That’s why legislation centering ‘Judeo-Christian values’ in public school curriculum raises serious concerns.
• Facebook User: Can these people pander anymore? As a lifelong Christian I am appalled by this blatant abuse of the term “Christian” by people who wouldn’t recognize Jesus if he moved in next door.

  None of this is about religion, it’s about politics. I am continually reminded of the saying, “Mixing politics and religion are like mixing manure and ice cream. It doesn’t hurt the manure but it sure ruins the ice cream.”

• Facebook User: I Apologize On Behalf Of Ohio
• Facebook User: I’m sure Facebook User voted for this because she loves to impose ONE religious view (hers and mine) on every child in public schools. That is not right!😡
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User You’re absolutely right to question it.

    While Rep. Melanie Miller did not introduce HB 486, she voted for it in the Ohio House. The bill — often referred to as the “Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act” — directs schools to teach about the “influence of Judeo-Christian values on American history and culture” and the “positive impact of religion on American history.”

    Rep. Miller also introduced HB 485, the “Baby Olivia Act,” another education-related bill that has raised concerns among many observers about religiously influenced policymaking in public education.

    Like many legislators, Rep. Miller often votes along party lines and has worked closely with colleagues such as Rep. Gary Click, a pastor who was a primary sponsor of HB 486.

    Public schools serve students from many religious backgrounds — and students with no religion at all. That’s why it’s important that public education remain religiously neutral and academically grounded when teaching about religion in history.

• Facebook User: Getting real sick of religion being imposed on kids in public schools. Take your kids to church, send them to private schools, or make the churches pay taxes.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User You’re not alone in feeling that way. Public schools are meant to serve every student — regardless of their family’s religion or lack of one.

    Religion already has plenty of spaces where it belongs: homes, churches, and religious schools. Public schools should remain focused on education that works for everyone.

    Once religion starts getting inserted into the school day, it inevitably favors some beliefs over others — and that’s exactly why the separation of church and state exists.

• Facebook User: Facebook User
• Facebook User: Jewish indoctrination