Jacksonville State University’s student senate voted down a resolution that urged the school’s student government association to acknowledge “the kingship of Jesus Christ.”

The student senate is the school’s 30-member legislative body, and the vote took place March 17 according to the campus newspaper, The Chanticleer.

The resolution was voted down after debate over whether it was constitutional.

“By the students in Jacksonville State University that the Jacksonville State University Student Government Association acknowledges the kingship of Jesus Christ over all the world so that this great university may, at last, receive the great blessing of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony,” the resolution stated.

Student Judiciary Advocate Jonathan Duncan said the resolution was not constitutional, due to a clause in the SGA Constitution that enables the right for representation. He also argued it could have violated the personal beliefs of some students on campus.

“The document simply said that the Student Government Association acknowledges, and every student on campus is a member of the Student Government Association, whether they’re elected, appointed or not,” Duncan said.

However, Nick Shell, who wrote the resolution, called it an “urging of acknowledgement.”

“It’s not saying we establish Christ’s law on this university and you have to follow it,” he said.

Senator Diego de Assis, the only member who voted for the resolution, called it divisive but said he felt compelled by his faith to vote for it.

Parliamentarian Trey Landman, who said he is a Christian, nevertheless said he doesn’t believe religion belongs in a state school.

“We have religious avenues at our school that have been built up for years,” Landman said. “What is the point of this? What is this actually accomplishing? Why don’t you go out and talk to people one-on-one?”