The Freedom From Religion Foundation applauds the widespread backlash against a blatantly unconstitutional “Christ is King” resolution hastily passed last week by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
FFRF has previously pointed out the hypocrisy of the resolution that, with one hand, proclaims “Christ is King,” while on the other hand disingenuously denies that it is “intended to establish any religion or infringe upon the rights of any individual.” Clearly, the point of the resolution is precisely to establish Christianity, as indicated by its sponsor.
“This resolution is a bold testament to Oklahoma’s faith-based legacy,” resolution author state Rep. Jim Olsen has said. “During Holy Week, we honor the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and reaffirm the principles that guide our state. I’m proud to lead this effort to declare ‘Christ is King’ and call upon the help of the ‘Supreme Judge of the World.’”
News coverage about passage of the House resolution widely quoted FFRF Co-President Dan Barker denouncing it: “The revolutionaries who founded the United States threw the king out. Along with rejecting a monarchy, they deliberately adopted a godless Constitution, whose only references to religion are exclusionary, and which forbids the government from establishing any religion.”
A diverse chorus of religious and secular voices quickly condemned the resolution as unconstitutional and exclusionary.
“This resolution is unconstitutional, anti-democratic and theologically misguided,” responded Rev. Adam Young in a guest column published in The Oklahoman. “What was once a theological truth becomes a civil decree. And in doing so, the government steps into the dangerous territory of Christian nationalism.” Young also pointed out that “Jesus never crowned himself king.”
House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson lamented the action: “We spent over an hour on the House floor today and did not solve a single problem for everyday Oklahomans. We did not help ease financial burdens for working families, we did not do anything to help Oklahomans who need housing and health care. What the Republican supermajority did today was politicize personal, deeply held religious beliefs. This resolution does not solve problems, it’s pandering. Oklahomans want us focused on improving our state and focused on the issues that will do that.”
State Rep. Andy Fugate questioned state Sen. Shane Jett’s contention that this was just a “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.” Fugate asked bill sponsor Olsen if he was aware of the trauma inflicted on Native American children at Oklahoma boarding schools “in the name of Jesus.” Olsen replied that he was not.
Rabbi Vered L. Harris, who serves the second-largest Jewish congregation in the state and the largest in Oklahoma City, also wrote an op-ed published by The Oklahoman: “I am deeply offended. I hope for an acknowledgment that the wording of this proclamation fails to be supportive of all Oklahomans, and it disregards the damage done to Oklahomans in the name of Christianity.”
State Rep. Michelle McCane, who identifies as an atheist, said the resolution “puts one deity over all others and is exclusionary, even among Christians.” She added, “This is a waste of taxpayer dollars, a waste of time for our legal staff to write it up, and worthy of reporting to DOGE.”
State Rep. Mickey Dollens, in opposing the bill, said, “I want to amplify the voices of all Oklahomans with different religious beliefs, as well as atheists and agnostics. What we are doing here today elevates one religion over another. …We are not a theocracy, but that is where we are headed with legislation such as this. This is the opposite of religious freedom. The only way to protect that freedom is to uphold the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.”
FFRF is delighted to see the extensive criticism of this outlandish action.
“It’s hard to think of a government resolution that more explicitly violates religious freedom and the constitutional principle of separation between state and church than House Concurrent Resolution 1013,” notes Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. “State legislators represent all constituents, not just Christians.”
The latest “Religious Landscape Survey” by Pew Research Center shows that 26 percent of Oklahomans have no religion and are either atheists, agnostics, or “nothing in particular.” Another 2 percent identify with religions other than Christianity. It is un-American to treat some citizens as preferred based on their religion and ask others to bow down to someone else’s deity.
FFRF urges Oklahoma lawmakers to remember they were elected to serve all constituents — not just Christians. Declaring “Christ is King” from the Statehouse on Holy Week is not only exclusionary, it’s a direct affront to the First Amendment.
In a nation founded on secular principles and religious liberty for all, no one should be told by their government whom to worship — or whether to worship at all. FFRF will continue to stand up for the rights of all Americans, regardless of belief or nonbelief.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with more than 42,000 members nationwide and hundreds of members in Oklahoma. FFRF’s purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between church and state, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
