What States Can Do When Sacred Spaces Are Violated

Ohio’s experience shows that states can successfully enact legislation to increase penalties for church disrupters.

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Lawmakers in the Ohio House of Representatives Chamber at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, January 10, 2024.

Megan Jelinger/Reuters

Church is a vulnerable place. When we worship, we may close our eyes, we may fold our hands or lift them, we may kneel. We are not vigilant, but rather contemplating the eternal things we cannot see. We may be with our children. That’s why the disruption of worship services by shouting protesters is an affront, and why worshippers should be protected.

The recent interruption of services at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn., was not the first such incident, nor will it be the last. But states have a positive example to look to if they’re seeking solutions: They should consider adopting Ohio’s Sacred Spaces Act to deal with such outrages.

Dave Yost

About the Author

Dave Yost

Dave Yost is senior counsel and vice president of policy innovation at Alliance Defending Freedom. He previously served as the attorney general of Ohio.

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