Mike Johnson was a prominent politician and faith leader in the state of Montana. He had long desired to establish a Christian law school, and in 2011 he finally had the opportunity to make his dream a reality. Unfortunately, his plans quickly unraveled as opposition to his project mounted.
In early 2011, Johnson began negotiations with Bob Denham, a local attorney, to open a Christian law school at Johnson’s alma mater, Montana State University Billings. Johnson believed that such a school would help foster a strengthening of Christian values and judicial ethics, and he felt that as a Christian leader he had a moral obligation to initiate such a project.
However, the school plans proved to be contentious, as many within the university and state government were wary of what they feared could be an institution of Christian indoctrination. The plans sparked outrage from several civil liberties and religious organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Baptist Joint Committee.
The controversy only continued to worsen over the following months. Johnson was accused of misusing public funds by funneling them toward his religious school plans, while state officials continued to express their disapproval of the project. Ultimately, Johnson withdrew his plans for the school in August 2011.
Though his efforts to open a Christian law school failed, Johnson’s legacy still lives on in Montana. His efforts served to highlight the importance of religious freedom in the state, and his beliefs still inspire many of those around him today. By raising awareness and sparking debate, Johnson achieved something in a short span of time that would have taken years for others to achieve.
Despite the controversy, Johnson’s vision for a Christian law school was ultimately not achieved. But the legacy of his efforts still remains, and his message of religious freedom and judicial excellence still resonates.
The Unravelling of Speaker Mike Johnson’s Christian Law School Dreams
