OKLAHOMA CITY –The Western District of Oklahoma Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the 10 Commandments monument at the state capitol.
State Rep. Mike Ritze, who paid for the Ten Commandments monument at the state Capitol, released the following statement:
“I am very pleased that this case was dismissed, and that Oklahomans can continue to enjoy the monument and understand the Ten Commandments historical significance to our nation. I doubt that this is the last challenge we will face, but we will continue to fight to have the monument preserved at our state Capitol. I am also grateful for the diligent and dutiful efforts of our state Attorney General Scott Pruitt and his staff in defending our state against these challenges.”
Ritze added that the legal argument for the constitutionality of the monument is “the Ten Commandments are an important component of the foundation of the laws and legal system of the United States of America and of the State of Oklahoma.”
He also says,” the courts of the United States of America and of various states frequently cite the Ten Commandments in published decisions.”
Ritze’s final argument for why the monument is constitutional is because “Acknowledgements of the role played by the Ten Commandments in our nation’s heritage are common throughout America.”
House Bill 1330, by Ritze, was enacted in 2009. It notes that “The placement of this monument shall not be construed to mean that the State of Oklahoma favors any particular religion or denomination thereof over others, but rather will be placed on the Capitol grounds where there are numerous other monuments.”
