Several House Democratic Members debate against Resolution proclaiming state-sanctioned religion in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY – Several members of the House Democratic Caucus stood up to debate against HCR 1013, which would proclaim in Oklahoma that “Christ is King,” arguing that it excludes Oklahomans who identify with other religions as well as Oklahomans who are not religious. “We spent over an hour on the House Floor today and did not solve a single problem for everyday Oklahomans,” said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “We did not help ease financial burdens for working families, we did not do anything to help Oklahomans who need housing and healthcare. 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.” Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, stated that our government is a democracy, not a theocracy. “I want to amplify the voices of Christians who recognize this resolution as rooted in Christian Nationalism which is not a religion but a political ideology rooted in power, control, and exclusion,” Dollens 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. It sends a message to all other religions recognized by the IRS that they are not as important as Christians. 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. Our founding fathers were intentional with their language in not naming a specific deity, and this resolution is disrespectful to them, the constitution, and Oklahomans of all religious faiths.” Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, an open atheist, debated against HCR 1013, asserting that there are ways to properly recognize religions without elevating one over all others. “I would happily vote for a resolution acknowledging the contributions of Christianity and Christians in Oklahoma, that is not what this resolution says,” McCane said. “This puts one deity over all others and is exclusionary, even among Christians. I don’t believe the government should exclude anyone. Moreover, the bible states those in government were placed there by God and goes on to say the people must obey the government. That would include following the Constitution which requires separation of church and state. This resolution is not about reflecting the values stated in the bible, it is about prioritizing one subsect of Christianity over others, and all other religions, and Oklahomans who are not religious. 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.” Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, argued that this resolution does not reflect biblical values. “If we want people to know that 'Christ is King,' then the legislature should show it with the work we do. Words alone are not enough,” said Fugate. “We should defend the principles of Jesus, instead we defund them. The words of Jesus are recorded in Matthew 25. For some reason, it’s no longer acceptable to be ‘sheep’. But Jesus said the sheep who take care of the poor, the sick, the hungry, the homeless, the stranger, and the imprisoned are those who will inherit his kingdom.” -END-