A 7-foot-tall granite monument of the Ten Commandments is erected on the north side of the state Capitol grounds. The Oklahoman file
OKLAHOMA CITY - A Baptist minister might seem like an unlikely opponent to a Ten Commandments monument on the state Capitol grounds.
But Bruce Prescott, 61, of Norman says the issue is about separating church and state.
"Most of my concern is that this is another in-your-face attempt by misguided Christians to assert their faith in the public square," he said.
Cheri Franklin, a 65-year-old retired teacher from Enid, said she is challenging the monument for her former students.
"For years, I stood in front of a classroom and talked about rights, citizenship, responsibilities and trying to explain to them if they were ever in a situation where they thought the Constitution was being abused, it was their responsibility to do something about it," Franklin said.
Last month, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma filed suit in Oklahoma County District Court on behalf of Prescott, Franklin and two other plaintiffs seeking to have the monument removed.
The state has until Friday to file its response.
If Christians want to share their faith, Prescott said, they should do it face-to-face.
"They do not need to try to find ways to dominate the public square and impose their will on everyone else," he said.
Prescott said Baptists have a history of championing both religious liberty and the separation of church and state.
The monument was paid for by a $10,000 donation from Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, and his family, and $10,000 raised privately. The Capitol Preservation Commission oversaw its placement on the north side of the building in 2012.
The monument was authorized by legislation in 2009 signed by former Gov. Brad Henry. Ritze was the House sponsor of the legislation.
"Well, I would say to him that I wish he would stop playing games about this being something historical," Prescott said. "He is trying to express his faith in the public square. He shouldn't be doing that with monuments trying to make it look like the government is endorsing his particular faith."
Ritze said he had no comments regarding the lawsuit.
Franklin said she talked with students about the separation of church and state.
"I am a religious person and to me separation of church and state isn't the concern about the government trying to control my religion," she said. "It is a concern about religions trying to control my government."
She said she is concerned that the conservative movement could pass more laws focusing on one religion over another or one belief over anther.
"I believe wholeheartedly religion is a personal, private issue and I do not want the government telling me how to worship," Franklin said.
The Liberty Institute based in Texas is assisting the state in defense of the monument.
Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for the Liberty Institute, believes it will withstand a legal challenge. The state followed the law and Supreme Court precedent, Sasser said.
The Legislature authorized the monument because the Ten Commandments are an important component of the laws and legal system, are frequently cited in published decisions and to recognize the role they played in the nation's heritage, Sasser said.
Barbara Hoberock 405-528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Minister: Display breaches barrier
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