Debate continues over declaring "Christ is King" in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The debate continues over the "Christ is King" resolution passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.On Wednesday, those against the resolution held a news conference saying they believe in religious freedom for all Oklahomans."Declaring one's God king over another person's God isn't just exclusionary, it's an attack on one's religious freedom," said Rep.

Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City.Days before Easter, the House passed a resolution declaring that "Christ is King" in Oklahoma."This has nothing to do with anti-religion.



This is about pro-Constitution," Dollens said.Dollens is one of several voicing concern. He believes it violates the separation of church and state.

However Senator Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, is a co-author of the resolution says that's not what it is."It's just a very warm, inspirational way to honor Christ and to recognize his role and the foundation of the nation and the important role that he plays in the hearts of Oklahomans all over," said Jett.He says it's just a proclamation, but others believe it lays the groundwork of a much broader agenda.

"This narrative primes the public to accept future laws that aren't just symbolic, but rather laws that actually take away rights and laws that actually discriminate and do harm to others," said Dollens. Oklahoma House passes “Christ is King” resolutionDollens gave some examples during the news conference."For example, this building passed the first religious charter school in the United States.

We use tax dollars to purchase Trump Bibles for kids classrooms. We have Bible infused grade school curriculum," said Rep. Dollens.

Jett added that he believes there's a misconception with the separation of church and state in the U.S. Constitution.

"It is saying the United States is not going to have a church that is ordered by the state, but it doesn't say that you can't exercise religion. In fact, the opposite is true," said Rep. Jett.

Other Republican lawmakers agree."To say that God has no place in the American government is foolishness. You need to go back and look at those papers, you need to go back and look at your history, learn your history," said Representative JJ Humphrey, R-Lane.

On Thursday when the resolution was voted on, there was around two hours of debate. Lawmakers from both parties say that was too long."Is that something that we should be wasting our government money on? I don't think so and should we see a lot more important items come up for discussion in front of the people, absolutely, I think, but I will tell you that there's no more important item than whether Christ is king," said Rep.

Humphrey.The resolution is now in the Senate.There's been attempts to pass similar resolutions in North Dakota and in Montana, but both have failed.

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