Oklahoma Supreme Court says Ten Commandments monument must be removed from state Capitol grounds
The Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered the Ten Commandments monument removed from the state Capitol grounds hree years after its installation led to a lawsuit by the ACLU and a battle over religious freedom, free speech and the spearation of church and state.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma first filed a lawsuit challenging the monument’s constitutionality in 2013.
In a 7-2 ruling, the justices said the monument was in violation of Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution, which states that public money or property cannot be used or donated “ … for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion … ”
The wording is critical because the monument was purchased with private donations but placed on public land.
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt released a statement saying the justices got it wrong. Pruitt argued that the monument is nearly identical to a Texas monument that was found constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. He will appeal for a new hearing.
Gov. Mary Fallin also released a statement, in which she indicated that she would be talking to Pruitt’s office about legal options.
The monument was erected in 2012. Since then, several other religious groups have asked to place their own monuments on the state Capitol grounds.
The decision also affects a proposed satanic monument that New York’s Satanic Temple applied for in 2013. After that application, as well as one from a Hindu group, the Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission put a hold on all new monuments.
http://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/oklahoma-supreme-court-rules-ten-commandments-monument-must-go.html
The ten commandments represent the “golden rule”. Guess the OK liberals object to the golden rule.
Rbockman: the ten commandments represents Christianity, not the golden rule. Religion has no place in government, and as such, it’s got to go.
Rbockman: the ten commandments represents Christianity, not the golden rule. Religion has no place in government, and as such, it’s got to go.