Staff Reports
Some politicians opposed a bill in the House about antisemitism in schools. They say the bill could make the Bible’s New Testament illegal. The Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 tells the Education Department to think about a recognized definition of antisemitism when looking at anti-Jewish discrimination in schools. But some Republican House members and media figure Tucker Carlson say the bill could make it illegal to talk about the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus in the New Testament.
House antisemitism bill not an attack on Christian Scriptures, scholars sayhttps://t.co/rl9YujUww9 pic.twitter.com/eGhQnmDznS
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) May 3, 2024
Reps. Andy Biggs, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Matt Gaetz said the bill could have bad results for the Christian community. They think it’s unclear and doesn’t follow the Constitution. Mr. Gaetz said the bill’s meaning of antisemitism includes examples from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which includes “claims of Jews killing Jesus.”
Mr. Carlson agreed with conservative Charlie Kirk that the House made part of the Bible illegal. But people who study the New Testament and share the Gospel say this is not true. They say the New Testament shows disagreements among first-century Jewish people about who the Messiah is, and it’s not meant to be antisemitic.
The bill passed in the House with a vote of 320-91, and will now go to the Senate. There’s no news yet on when the Senate might look at it.
