Isabella Carter
The Ten Commandments statue in Oklahoma has been at the centre of a highly controversial debate regarding the separation of church and state. The statue, erected in 2012, was deemed a violation of the state constitution by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2015. The court ruled that the monument, which was privately funded by a Republican legislator, was a religious symbol and thus violated the state's ban on using public property to benefit a religion. This decision was met with criticism, with some arguing that it ignored the commandments' historical importance and calling for the amendment of the constitution to remove its ban on state religious support. The statue was removed from the capitol grounds in October 2015 and later unveiled in Detroit, where it is now on public display.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ruling | The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the Ten Commandments monument on capitol grounds violates the state constitution |
| Reason | The monument violates the state's constitutional ban on using public property to benefit a religion |
| Constitution Section | Article 2, Section 5 |
| Constitution Text | "No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or dignitary, or sectarian institution as such" |
| Monument Details | A 6-foot-tall granite monument of the Ten Commandments, installed in 2012, funded by the family of State Rep. Mike Ritze |
| Monument Status | Removed from the capitol grounds in October 2015, now on display at Salem Art Gallery in Salem, MA |
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What You'll Learn
- The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the statue must be removed as it violates the state constitution
- The Ten Commandments statue is a religious symbol
- The statue violates the ban on using public property to benefit a religion
- The statue was privately funded by a Republican legislator
- The ruling has been criticised for ignoring the commandments' historic importance
The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the statue must be removed as it violates the state constitution
The Ten Commandments monument was installed on the north side of the Oklahoma Capitol grounds in 2012. The 6-foot-tall granite statue was funded by Republican state lawmaker Mike Ritze and his family, who contributed $10,000. The statue was authorised by legislators in 2009 and deemed suitable for "reflection" on the religious dictates of the Ten Commandments by the Capitol's architect.
In 2013, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit on behalf of several Oklahomans challenging the constitutionality of the monument. The lawsuit, Prescott v. Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission, argued that the Oklahoma Constitution prohibits the use of public property or money for religious purposes.
In 2015, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the statue must be removed as it violates the state constitution. The court found that the Ten Commandments are "obviously religious in nature and are an integral part of the Jewish and Christian faiths". The placement of the monument was deemed to violate Article 2, Section 5 of the state's constitution, which states:
> "No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or dignitary, or sectarian institution as such."
The 7-2 ruling overturned a previous decision by a district court judge who had determined that the monument could remain. The decision proved highly controversial, with some conservative state lawmakers calling for the impeachment of the justices and/or amending the state constitution to remove its ban on state religious support.
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The Ten Commandments statue is a religious symbol
The monument, funded by the family of State Rep. Mike Ritze, was first erected in 2012. It has since been the subject of controversy, with some arguing that it represents a historical message and should be allowed to remain. However, the court's decision emphasizes the religious nature of the monument and its potential to benefit specific religions, leading to the conclusion that it violates the state's constitution.
The Ten Commandments are a set of biblical laws believed to have originated in the northern kingdom of Israel around the 9th-8th centuries BC. They hold significant religious meaning for Jews and Christians, who consider them foundational to their faiths. Over time, the Ten Commandments have become a contested symbol in the United States, particularly regarding the relationship between religion and national law.
While some individuals and organizations, such as the religious liberty group Alliance Defending Freedom, argue that the monument conveys historical principles and should be permitted, others, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, have long challenged the posting of the Ten Commandments in public spaces. They view it as a violation of the separation of church and state and an attempt to link Christianity to law.
The debate surrounding the Ten Commandments statue in Oklahoma highlights the ongoing tension between religious expression and the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution, which forbids the establishment of religion by law. While the specific outcome of this case led to the removal of the statue, it is part of a broader national dialogue about the role of religious symbols in public spaces.
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The statue violates the ban on using public property to benefit a religion
The Ten Commandments statue in Oklahoma has been a source of controversy and legal debate, with critics arguing that it violates the state's constitution. The statue, installed in 2012, was funded by Republican state lawmaker Mike Ritze and his family, who supplied $10,000 for its construction. Despite claims that the monument was historical in nature and not religious, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that it must be removed as it breached the state constitution's ban on using public property to benefit a religion.
The court's decision centred on the interpretation of Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution, which stipulates that "no public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion." The justices concluded that the Ten Commandments chiselled into the granite monument were "'obviously religious in nature and are an integral part of the Jewish and Christian faiths." This ruling overturned a previous decision by a district court judge who had allowed the monument to remain.
The ruling sparked a strong reaction from some conservative lawmakers, who criticised it as extreme and inconsistent with the historical significance of the Ten Commandments. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt disagreed with the ruling, arguing that the monument was almost identical to one in Texas that the U.S. Supreme Court had deemed constitutional. Pruitt suggested that the provision in the Oklahoma Constitution prohibiting the use of public money for religious purposes may need to be repealed, and he vowed to file a petition for a rehearing.
The debate over the statue's removal highlights the tension between religious expression and the separation of church and state in the United States. While some view the Ten Commandments as a foundational element of Western law and history, others argue that its presence on public property endorses specific religious beliefs over others. The statue's removal from the capitol grounds in October 2015 was met with calls for a constitutional amendment to allow its return, demonstrating the ongoing contentious nature of the issue.
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The statue was privately funded by a Republican legislator
The Ten Commandments statue in Oklahoma has been a source of controversy, with the state's highest court ruling that it must be removed from the Capitol grounds as it violates the constitutional ban on using public property to benefit a religion. The 6-foot-tall granite monument, privately funded by Republican legislator Mike Ritze and his family, has sparked debates and legal challenges.
Ritze, a Republican from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, sponsored a bill in 2009 to install the monument at the capitol. His family contributed $10,000 to fund the statue's construction, which was completed in late 2012. The statue was not without its critics, and in 2014, a man intentionally destroyed it by ramming it with his car, claiming that the devil made him do it. Despite this, the statue was repaired and re-erected.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oklahoma, along with other organizations, challenged the statue's constitutionality, arguing that it violated the state's constitutional ban on using public property or money for religious purposes. The Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed, ruling 7-2 that the Ten Commandments chiseled into the monument are "obviously religious in nature and are an integral part of the Jewish and Christian faiths." This decision overturned a previous ruling by a district court judge who allowed the monument to remain.
The court's ruling has sparked mixed reactions, with some critics arguing that it ignored the commandments' historical importance and calling for the amendment of the state's constitution. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt disagreed with the ruling, suggesting that the provision prohibiting the use of public money for religious purposes may need to be repealed. He also vowed to file a petition for a rehearing, emphasizing the historical impact of the Ten Commandments on Western law.
The statue's removal from the Capitol grounds in October 2015 led to further debates and legal challenges. The Oklahoma Governor, Mary Fallin, proposed legislation to allow voters to amend the constitution and bring the Ten Commandments monument back to the Capitol. The statue's fate remains uncertain, with some suggesting it may be moved to Arkansas if a similar monument is erected there.
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The ruling has been criticised for ignoring the commandments' historic importance
The Ten Commandments monument on the Oklahoma Capitol grounds has been the subject of controversy and legal debate, with critics arguing that the decision to remove it ignores its historical importance. The monument, a 6-foot-tall granite structure, was erected in 2012 and funded by a Republican legislator, State Rep. Mike Ritze, a Republican from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. It was damaged in an act of vandalism in 2014 and subsequently replaced.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in 2015, and again in 2017, that the monument must be removed as it violates the state's constitutional ban on using public property to benefit a religion. The court stated that the Ten Commandments etched into the monument are "obviously religious in nature and are an integral part of the Jewish and Christian faiths." This ruling was met with criticism from several individuals, including Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, who argued that the monument was constitutional due to its historical nature and similarity to a Texas version ruled constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Jon Scruggs, legal counsel with the religious liberty group Alliance Defending Freedom, characterized the decision as unusual and a misinterpretation of the Oklahoma constitution. He emphasized the historical message conveyed by the monument, acknowledging the religious people, ideas, and principles that have contributed to the state's history. Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City shared similar sentiments, highlighting the historical significance of the Ten Commandments in the formation of the state and as an ancient law code.
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue ("ten words" in Greek), hold significant religious and historical importance. They are considered divine commandments given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 of the Bible. These commandments have been interpreted and followed by various religious traditions, including Christianity and Judaism, and continue to influence moral principles and societal norms.
The ruling to remove the Ten Commandments monument from the Oklahoma Capitol grounds has sparked a debate about the role of religion in the public sphere and the interpretation of the state's constitution. While some argue for a strict separation of church and state, others believe that the decision disregards the historical and cultural significance of the Ten Commandments.
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Frequently asked questions
The Ten Commandments statue is a 6-foot-tall granite monument of the Ten Commandments, installed on the north side of the Oklahoma Capitol grounds in 2012.
The Court ruled that the Ten Commandments are "obviously religious in nature and are an integral part of the Jewish and Christian faiths". The placement of the statue on public property was therefore ruled to be in violation of the state constitution's ban on using public property to benefit a religion.
Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution states: "No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or dignitary, or sectarian institution as such."
The ruling was criticised by several conservative state lawmakers, the Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, and the Archbishop of Oklahoma City, Paul Coakley. Some called for the impeachment of the justices, while others suggested that the constitution may need to be amended.
The statue was removed from the Capitol grounds in October 2015 and is now on display at the Salem Art Gallery in Salem, Massachusetts. There have been calls to move the statue to Arkansas if a Ten Commandments monument is erected there.
