Statement from Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer

COLUMBUS—Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein has filed a lawsuit in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court against the State of Ohio to overturn a Center for Christian Virtue-backed law that protects the rights of conscience and religious freedom rights of medical professionals.

The law, which went into effect last year, says no medical professional can be forced to participate in a medical procedure that violates his or her religious beliefs or conscience.  

The following statement is from Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer:

“Apparently, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein wishes he lived in a nation without a First Amendment. It is a new low for Mr. Klein to sue to strip medical professionals of their conscience rights in order to force them to participate in dangerous and life ending procedures like abortion.

“The medical rights of conscience provision the General Assembly passed and Governor DeWine signed merely ensures Ohio law and practice are in line with federal religious freedom protections. At a time when hospitals continue to be short-staffed, it’s unbelievable that the City of Columbus would sue to be able to force doctors and nurses out of the workplace because of their religious beliefs.  

“Center for Christian Virtue will continue to advocate for religious freedom for all, and we urge all Ohioans to contact Zach Klein’s office, and tell him to drop his heartless, inane, and dangerous lawsuit.

"Zach Klein needs to find his conscience and drop this crusade against people of faith."

Call Zach Klein’s Office at 614-645-7385

For more information, contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or info@ccv.org.

As Ohio’s largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel. 

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