One of the most influential conservative policy groups at the Idaho Capitol is working to make Idaho explicitly a Christian state. In a perfect world for the Idaho Family Policy Center, every public school classroom would begin each day with readings from the Bible, and state lawmakers would identify as Christian.
According to Deseret News, the policy center has become a legislative powerhouse that has contributed to drafting, sponsoring, and training state lawmakers to introduce and debate bills that promote Christian values in public spaces.
In one example, the policy group pushed to mandate the daily Bible reading requirement, along with displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, and allowing chaplains to serve as school counselors in State House Bill No. 162.
The bill ultimately failed to get traction, but the group remains undeterred.
“It usually takes us two to three years to get a bill through,” Blaine Conzatti, president of the Idaho Family Policy Center, told the outlet. “We’re going to introduce it again next year, and I am confident and optimistic in the chances of success.”
While the U.S. Supreme Court has previously considered Bible reading laws unconstitutional for the last 60 years, the high court’s recent rulings have emboldened Christian lawmakers and a growing movement of Christian nationalists, Idaho ED News points out.
The definition of Christian nationalism varies. EBSCO defines Christian nationalism as a political ideology advocating for the integration of Christianity into national governance.
“It manifests to varying degrees across the globe but is particularly notable in the United States, where some proponents assert that the nation was founded specifically by and for Christians,” a statement reads on its website.
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary characterizes Christian nationalism as a form of political idolatry that distorts the knowledge of God and neighbor through a xenophobic, racialized, and militarized gospel that is at odds with the life and teachings of Jesus.
Conzatti, however, pushes back on his organization being labeled as Christian nationalism. He told Idaho Ed News that he would never “force someone to worship contrary to their conscience.”
He doubled down in his stance, stating, “The people of Idaho are a Christian people […] They want a Christian constitution.”
However, some residents who also identify as Christian disagree.
“You don’t see Jesus going around imposing by law that people of other faiths listen to his scriptures,” said Ben Cremer, a progressive former Boise pastor. “That is theologically and morally repugnant to me. ”