Kingship of Jesus Christ Resolution Fails In North Dakota House

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRRNorth Dakota Monitor) — House members vote down a concurrent resolution that would proclaim Jesus Christ’s kingship in North Dakota.

The vote was 31 for the resolution with 59 against.

It was introduced by embattled Republican Rep. Nico Rios of Williston who was officially denounced by the state GOP over statements he made about the heritage of Mexico’s president.

Among those opposed to the resolution were two reverends from area churches.

Cody Schuler with North Dakota ACLU testified at a hearing saying, “When the state takes an official stance on religious doctrine, even in a non-binding way, it frames governmental and societal conformity to a particular worldview and marginalizes its citizens who practice other faiths or hold secular beliefs.”

The committee had given the resolution a Do-Not-Pass recommendation with an 8-1 vote.

Rep. Austen Schauer, R-West Fargo, said he’s offended by the resolution and said he expects political opponents will use it to campaign against legislators who don’t support it.

“I believe this is a gotcha bill,” Schauer said. “If you’re a believer and you’ve dedicated your life, committed your life to Jesus and you vote against this, the public says, and your church says, ‘What’s wrong with you?’”

Rep. Jared Hendrix, R-Fargo, urged members to support the resolution. He said it doesn’t impose religion on others but affirms what most North Dakotans believe.

“Virtually every challenge we face, many of which we address legislatively every day, would be better addressed while keeping in mind Christ’s message of love, respect and truth,” Hendrix said.

Previously, House members voted no to a bill that would have required the Ten Commandments be posted in North Dakota public schools and colleges.