State lawmakers are again trying to OK displays of the Ten Commandments on public property in Oklahoma.
House Bill 2177 would allow displays of historical documents commemorating Oklahoma’s history, including the Ten Commandments. Sen. Micheal Bergstrom said they’re foundational to law.
"If we’re going to ban a document of this historic importance because it speaks of God, then we need to ban the Declaration of Independence," Bergstrom said, adding the Gettysburg Address and Pledge of Allegiance would also have to go. "Obviously, each of these bans would be ludicrous."
Sen. J.J. Dossett asked Sen. Casey Murdock about another historical document listed in the bill.
"What about the Mayflower Compact? How does that directly commemorate the history of the great state of Oklahoma?" Dossett said.
There was a pause, and another senator walked over to Murdock and handed him a note.
"It defines that all laws that is in America will be defined by democratic process," Murdock said.
"Doesn’t it also make sure that they maintain loyalty to the King of England?" Dossett said. "So, what part of commemorating the history of the great state of Oklahoma gives loyalty to the King of England?"
While other examples in HB2177 include the Magna Carta and Bill of Rights, the Ten Commandments are mentioned first. Sen. Kay Floyd said nearly 60 percent of Oklahoma voters rejected a state question in 2016 to return a Ten Commandments monument to the capitol.
"If we pass this bill today, are we not disagreeing with what we’ve been told by the voters that they want in the state of Oklahoma?" Floyd said.
A man drove his car into a Ten Commandments monument at the capitol in 2014, and the Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered its replacement removed in 2015.
HB2177 was sent back to the House for a final vote after the Senate amended it.
