COLUMBUS, OH ‒ People stomped their feet, sang and clapped their hands.
They reached their arms to the ceiling, tears streaming down their faces.
The rows of seats gave the appearance of a fervent church congregation.
But it wasn't a church. It was the Ohio Statehouse.
This was the scene atPrayer at the Statehouse, hosted by the Center for Christian Virtue, in August.
The nonprofit began as a little-known group of anti-pornography crusaders in Cincinnati over 40 years ago. Now, it is Ohio's largest Christian policy group with headquarters directly across from the Statehouse.
President Donald Trump is presented a novelty ticket by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during an announcement about the 2026 World Cup with Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy Richard Grenell in the Oval Office at the White House on August 22, 2025 in Washington. Trump announced the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw will take place at The Kennedy Center." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance look on as they sit behind French President Emmanuel Macron during U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders amid negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine, at the White House in Washington, D.C. on August 18, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President JD Vance plays a round of golf at the Trump Turnberry Ailsa Golf Course on August 14, 2025 in Turnberry, United Kingdom. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Scotland on Wednesday, as he and his family continue their UK holiday. The Vances are staying at the privately-owned Carnell Estates, approximately 40 miles south of Glasgow. Since his arrival in the UK last Friday, Vance has met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy for bilateral talks in Kent and visited American troops at RAF Fairford, near where he and his family stayed in the Cotswolds. The Scotland leg of the trip comes less than a month after US President Donald Trump vacationed in Scotland." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President JD Vance addresses U.S. troops and their families in front of a Lockheed U-2 during a visit to RAF Fairford on August 13, 2025 in Fairford, England." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President JD Vance fishes with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Chevening House on August 8, 2025 in Sevenoaks, England. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President JD Vance attends a Cabinet Meeting with President Donald Trump at at the White House on July 08, 2025 in Washington. Trump discussed the recent flash flooding tragedy in Central Texas where at least 109 people have died, and other topics during the portion of the meeting that was open to members of the media." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth greet visitors during the Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery on May 26, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Pope Francis meets with Vice President JD Vance in The Vatican on April 20, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Running back TreVeyon Henderson and Vice President JD Vance bobble the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy as US President Donald Trump hosts the 2025 College Football National Champions, Ohio State Buckeyes, celebrating the team's title-winning season with a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on April 14, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President JD Vance tours the US military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on March 28, 2025. The visit is viewed by Copenhagen and Nuuk as a provocation amid President Donald Trump's bid to annex the strategically-placed, resource-rich Danish territory." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President JD Vance eats with U.S. Marines in the chow hall at Marine Corps Base Quantico on March 26, 2025 in Quantico, Virginia. Vance, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, spoke to military members and toured the base." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President JD Vance attends the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, on Feb. 20, 2025 in National Harbor, Md." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Second Lady Usha Vance, Vice President JD Vance, President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, gestures as US former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden depart during a farewell ceremony outside the US Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2025, following Donald Trump's inauguration." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In an overhead view, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) (L), JD Vance, and Donald Trump attend inauguration ceremonies on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President-elect Donald Trump speaks with Vice President-elect JD Vance during a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President-elect JD Vance departs the White House for the Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris welcome Vice President-elect JD Vance and Usha Vance as they arrive at the White House in Washington, DC, on Jan. 20, 2025, before departing for the US Capitol for the inauguration ceremony." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President-elect JD Vance speaks on stage with Charlie Kirk during the Turning Point USA Inaugural-Eve Ball at the Salamander Hotel on Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington, DC. Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th U.S. president on Jan. 20." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President-elect JD Vance participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, VA. Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20 in a rare indoor ceremony." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Republican vice presidential nominee, Sen. JD Vance arrives for a campaign event with his wife Usha at Memorial Hall on Oct. 28, 2024 in Racine, Wis." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sen. JD Vance takes the stage during a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 27, 2024 in New York." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance greets NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney before the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course on Oct. 13, 2024 in Concord, N.C." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice-presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance addresses a crowd inside Shed 3 at Eastern Market in Detroit on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sen. JD Vance speaks before former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on Oct. 5, 2024." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance speaks with television host Sean Hannity, right, following a debate with Democrat Tim Walz." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sen. JD Vance waves to fans before the game between Appalachian State and East Carolina at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, N.C." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance arrives to speaks about the economy at Majestic Friesians Horse Farms in Big Rapids, Mich. on Aug. 27, 2024." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Senator and 2024 Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance greets supporters after speaking during a campaign rally at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on Aug. 6, 2024." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, delivers remarks alongside rancher John Ladd (R) and President of the National Border Patrol Council Paul A. Perez as Vance tours the U.S. Border Wall on Aug. 1, 2024 in Montezuma Pass, Ariz." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Republican vice presidential nominee U.S. Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, carries his daughter Maribel Vance as he arrives with wife Usha Vance to greet supporters at the Park Diner on July 28, 2024 in St Cloud, Minn." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Republican vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. JD Vance , R-Ohio, holds a campaign rally at Radford University on July 22, 2024 in Radford, Va." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum. The third day of the RNC focused on foreign policy and threats." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice presidential nominee JD Vance waves from the family box during the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. The second day of the RNC focused on crime and border policies." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice presidential nominee JD Vance greets Marjorie Taylor Greene in the family box during the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. The second day of the RNC focused on crime and border policies." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sen. JD Vance celebrates with crowds on the floor as he introduced with his wife Usha Chilukuri Vance during the first day of the Republican National Convention. The RNC kicked off the first day of the convention with the roll call vote of the states." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sen. JD Vance is introduced on the floor as the vice presidential candidate during the first day of the Republican National Convention. The RNC kicked off the first day of the convention with the roll call vote of the states." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sen. JD Vance listens to Former President Donald Trump talks to the Press Pool outside the Manhattan Criminal Court room during trial in New York City on May 13, 2024. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty and denied a relationship with Daniels." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sen. JD Vance walks into the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill on April 23, 2024 in Washington, DC." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sen. JD Vance speaks during the Senate hearing on Improving rail safety in response to the East Palestine, Ohio train Derailment on Wednesday, March 22, 2023." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Senators JD Vance, right, (R-OH) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), left, speak on stage during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on March 2, 2023" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Republican Senate candidate JD Vance speaks to supporters with wife Usha Vance and family at an election watch party at the Renaissance Hotel on Nov. 8, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. Vance defeated Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) in the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Former President Donald Trump and Republican candidate for Senate JD Vance greet supporters during the rally at the Dayton International Airport on Nov. 7, 2022 in Vandalia, Ohio." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
JD Vance participates in a U.S. Senate race forum on Nov. 1, 2022 hosted by Fox News, along with Tim Ryan, not pictured, at The Fives Columbus." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
(L-R) Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) look on as JD Vance, a Republican candidate for Senate in Ohio, speaks during a campaign rally at The Trout Club on April 30, 2022 in Newark, Ohio." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
JD Vance, a Republican candidate for Senate in Ohio, applauds as former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally hosted by the former president at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on April 23, 2022 in Delaware, Ohio." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Vice President JD Vance: See his career in photos
President Donald Trump is presented a novelty ticket by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during an announcement about the 2026 World Cup with Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy Richard Grenell in the Oval Office at the White House on August 22, 2025 in Washington. Trump announced the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw will take place at The Kennedy Center.
Over the past decade, CCV has lobbied on more than 300 bills and created a network of religious schools and churches. Since 2020, its revenue has quadrupled, raising more than $4 million last year.
CCV is backed by major conservative groups and figures such as the Heritage Foundation. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk wasslated to be a keynote speaker at CCV's Sept. 26 gala. He wasassassinated on Sept. 10during a Turning Point USA event in Utah.
Voters and lawmakers who support CCV's mission see the organization as "advocating for what is right" in Ohio. Opponents say the group's growing leverage is "dangerous" and blurs the lines between church and state.
CCV has been designated as ahate group by the Southern Poverty Law Centerfor its anti-LGBTQ stances. The group's president previously dismissed the center as"liberal political hacks"on social media.
At the August prayer event, attendees laid their hands on Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who knelt on the floor with his palms outstretched to receive prayers from religious leaders. Months earlier, CCV's president hadendorsed Yost's competitor,Vivek Ramaswamy, for Ohio governor.
A pastor lectured about premarital abstinence and the "sanctity" of heterosexual marriage. Secretary of State Frank LaRose, also a Republican, addressed those who might find prayer in the Statehouse "out of place."
"I think it is altogether appropriate that we raise the mighty name of the Lord here in this house where this work is done," LaRose said.
Cincinnati Enquirer·Sounds from the Statehouse
The Center for Christian Virtue's growing influence represents a shift in how Christian conservatives engage with politics in Ohio and nationwide. The libertarian bent in Republican politics is fading. Now, Christian lobbyists are shaping the legislative agenda in red states like Ohio.
"We are starting to see a trend that also reflects the national trend right now, of a conservative party that is more about forcing Christian values on everyone and less about a 'live and let live,' free-market philosophy," said Jessie Hill, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University who has challenged Ohio's abortion restrictions.
From anti-porn crusaders to major Statehouse players
Founded in thebasement of College Hill Presbyterian Churchin Cincinnati in 1983, CCV, then called Citizens for Community Values, was waging culture wars before they were even called culture wars.
The group protested against thecontroversial Robert Mapplethorpe photography exhibit in Cincinnati, which included some nude photos of children and gay sadistic and masochistic culture. That fight spurred obscenity charges against the arts center and its director, but a jury threw out those charges.
In 1993, CCV pushed through aban on Cincinnati laws protecting gay people from discrimination. That was repealed 11 years later.
In 2004, the group led a successful ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriages in Ohio. That language became moot in 2015 when theU.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriagesin a case brought by Cincinnati native Jim Obergefell.
CCV was led by Phil Burress, a recovering porn addict, until he retired in 2016. The nonprofit's leadership team wanted a successor who would steer the group in a policy-focused direction.
Enter CCV's current president, Aaron Baer. A Warren, Ohio, native, Baer worked for a conservative policy group in Arizona and as a policy advisor for Arizona's Republican attorney general.
"There's no filling (Burress') shoes," Baer said at CCV's Columbus headquarters in September. "So, for them, it was: 'How do we take this foundation we've laid and grow it into what's next?'"
'They're relentless.' CCV takes on abortion, LGBTQ rights and schools
Under Baer's leadership, CCV has expanded the issues it champions and its influence. It's become a policy powerhouse in Ohio.
The Christian lobbyists were instrumental in changing state law to allow every private school student to take advantage of taxpayer-funded scholarships,known as EdChoice vouchers. Public school leaders vehemently opposed the change, whichsparked a legal battle.
CCV championed a statewideban on gender-affirming care for minorsand rules that prohibit transgender girls from participating in women's sports. It helped enact a law thatbans transgender students from using bathroomsthat align with their gender identity.
CCV also helped pass a ban on most abortions, whichblocked access to the procedure for monthsafter the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Ohio made national headlines aftera young rape victim was forced to travel to Indiana for an abortion.
"They work hard, and they're relentless. They're not afraid to take on big battles," said state Sen. Kristina Roegner, a Republican in Akron's metro area who sponsored the 2019 abortion ban. Her son-in-law works forChristian Business Partnerships, CCV's chamber of commerce for Christian business owners.
Despite their growing influence, the Christian lobbyists aren't always victorious. In 2023,Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment to protect abortion accessand rejected the CCV-backed abortion ban.Voters also shot down an effort to make it harder to amend the state constitution, which was aimed at blocking the abortion measure.
Starting in 2021, CCV has spent millions on property in downtown Columbus, including its current headquarters, theold Columbus Dispatch building, which it bought for $1.1 million in 2023.
As CCV's leader, Baer made over $228,000 in 2024 between his salary and other compensation, according topublic tax documents.
"Their influence grew significantly when they decided to set up a presence across the street from the Statehouse," said Natalie Hastings, an organizer and researcher for Honesty for Ohio Education, which opposes private school voucher expansion and opposes eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion in public schools.
"That's when we began to see at least one rep from CCV showing up for virtually any hearing that I was interested in."
But powerful? Baer shrugged off that description.
"I don't really try to measure us in terms of power or things like that," Baer said. "We try to look at ourselves in terms of results."
CCV's most recent win came this summer. While lawmakersdebated a tight budget that cut income taxes, theyfound $20 million for a CCV-backed Responsible Fatherhood Initiativethat awards grants to nonprofits that provide support to fathers.
Bolstering families is likely going to be the nonprofit's focus for the next decade, CCV spokesman Mike Andrews said. Unmarried people were most likely to oppose abortion restrictions, the group found after the 2023 constitutional amendment passed.
"The decline of marriage and collapse of family are at the root of everything we're dealing with," Baer said. "And we're gonna keep spinning our tires if we don't see more young people choosing to get married younger, and choosing to have more kids."
CCV's focus on the family reflects a nationwide conservative push.Vice President JD Vance, a father of three, told attendees at the 2025 March for Lifein Washington, D.C., that a "culture of radical individualism" had led Americans to see the responsibilities and joys of parenthood as obstacles.
"Our society has failed to recognize the obligation that one generation has to another as a core part of living in a society," the former Ohio senator said. "So let me say very simply, I want more babies in the United States of America."
Networks of lawmakers, churches: How CCV pushes its agenda
Unlike other influential lobbying groups in Columbus, CCV doesn't regularly make large donations or endorse candidates. Most of its influence comes from grassroots support.
"They have relied on a really extensive network of former legislators and former leaders within the conservative Christian family values movement," said Hastings, with Honesty for Ohio Education. "They've been able to really press where they need to press."
Baer, as an individual, endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy, whom Christian conservatives havechallenged over his Hindu faithas he runs for governor in the 2026 election.
Donations to candidates and ballot campaigns have been few and far between. The group spent $100,000trying to blockOhio's abortion rights amendment in 2023, according to state campaign finance data. The nonprofit also donated $5,000 to oppose a 2024 ballot measure that would have established acitizen redistricting commission.
For decades, CCV employees ‒ and its previous leader, Burress ‒ have donated to Republican groups and officials, including LaRose and Ohio Rep. Josh Williams, ranging from $5 to $2,500. Baer has not donated to Ohio or federal campaigns, campaign finance data shows.
So, without large campaign donations and endorsements, how does the group influence lawmakers?
For one, they are already singing from the same hymn sheet as many Republican lawmakers.
Williams, a Republican who represents a district outside Toledo, sought out CCV while running for the state Legislature in 2022. Since then, he's worked with the Christian lobbyists on several bills, including one to ban gender-affirming care for minors and prevent transgender girls from participating in women's sports.
Williams also sponsored a CCV-backed bill to ban public drag performances outside of adult cabaret venues, called the "Indecent Exposure Act."
Williams, who is running for Congress against U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, disagrees with CCV on some issues, notably the expansion of gambling. The Christian lobbyists see gamblingas predatory and damaging to Ohio's families.
But CCV doesn't demand blind loyalty from lawmakers – unlike other lobbyists in Columbus, Williams said.
"Where we're aligned, we work together. Where we don't, I crack jokes with them when I walk past them in the hallway."
Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, a Cleveland-area Democrat, said she's watched CCV expand from a group that occasionally lobbied on bills to one that hands legislation to Republicans to advance.
"They seem determined to take away the rights of people, to devalue some people in the state of Ohio, and to be judgmental in their policies," said Antonio, Ohio's first out gay lawmaker. "They are a very political, politically charged, one-sided organization for sure."
CCV promotes legislation and encourages Christians to the polls outside the Statehouse, too.
Through itsMinnery Fellowship, CCV offers online training for pastors to help them "speak to the difficult cultural and political issues facing their members today," according to thefellowship's website. Apage on CCV's websiteadvises pastors how to legally support political candidates and get their congregations to engage with legislation.
Baer said there are more than 4,000"church ambassadors"in CCV's network.
Through churches, CCV disperses what it calls its nonpartisanBuckeye Ballot guides. The guides include lists of federal and state candidates and issues.
CCV did not respond to emailed requests for a ballot guide.
The Christian lobbying group also hosts events, including Prayer at the Statehouse and March for Life, an annual anti-abortion demonstration in downtown Columbus. Supporters who attend these gatherings are politically engaged.
Joy Vallen, 58, and her husband Dennis, 71, drove more than two hours from their home in Kent, Ohio, to attend the Statehouse prayer. Joy used the opportunity to pray thatHouse Bill 240‒ which would allow public schools to hire chaplains ‒ would pass.
At the March for Life demonstration, Carla Brown, who's on CCV's email list, said preventing abortion is a top priority for her when voting.
"To me, the right to life is the fundamental right upon which all other rights are based," said the Groveport resident.
'No limit' between church and state?
The line between church and state lies inthe Establishment Clause in the First Amendmentto the U.S. Constitution. It reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
But in Ohio and across the nation, that line is blurring.
"States likeOklahoma and Texas are requiring the Ten Commandmentsto be posted in public schools again. This hasn't happened in the past half-century," said Hill, the Case Western professor. TheOhio Senate recently passed a similar bill. "It just feels like there's no limit – no real, firm dividing line anymore that we can count on to separate church and state."
CCV may be benefiting from national conservative think tanks following this trend, Hill said. Last year, theHeritage Foundation awarded CCV $100,000to expand its Christian Education Network, which helps churches run daily Christian schools.
Baer acknowledged that non-Christians can be good leaders and that not all Christians are good elected officials. He said the church should influence the government, but "the government should absolutely stay out of the business of the church."
"I think on the whole, the more Christian influence we have, the better off we're gonna be," Baer said. "I think a lot of the struggles you're seeing in our country today are because that Christian influence, that Christian culture, is wavering."
Roegner and Williams, two Republicans who support CCV, agreed that lawmakers shouldn't leave their faith at the front doors of the Ohio Statehouse.
"I don't believe that there is a separation of church and state. I believe that there is a requirement that the government does not endorse a single church or religion as the national church or religion," Williams said. "My Christian morals will continue to guide me in the legislative process, and at no time will I abandon those morals simply to seek reelection."
But Antonio, the Senate Democratic leader, said she's concerned about what she sees as the disappearing line between church and state in legislation pushed by CCV.
"It's very dangerous. It's exclusionary. It leaves people out," she said.
Hill doesn't think political groups' move toward Christian conservatism reflects how most voters feel.
"I think it's all about who holds the levers of power," she said. "It's not in any sense a reflection of the culture, or the zeitgeist or what people in Ohio actually want or the democratic will. I think it's just the opposite. It's about who's got the ear of powerful people."
This story was funded through a grant administered by the Poynter Institute, a nonpartisan journalism-training organization,with support from the Joyce Foundation.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer:How a conservative Ohio Christian group is influencing state law
