Federal Court Dismisses Challenge To Constituionality Of Oklahoma Ten Commandments Monument

OKLAHOMA CITY, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Liberty Institute applauds the ruling of a United States District Court judge for the Western District Of Oklahoma who dismissed a federal lawsuit against the Oklahoma Ten Commandments monument. The monument is one of many on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol. The federal judge ruled that the plaintiffs, American Atheists, Inc. and their activists, lacked standing, giving them no grounds to bring a legal challenge against the monument. Follow this link to view the federal judge's ruling: https://www.libertyinstitute.org/okc

Liberty Institute, along with Oklahoma's Attorney General, represents the State of Oklahoma in the case. Liberty Institute does not communicate on behalf of the State of Oklahoma.

Liberty Institute General Counsel Jeff Mateer said, "Today's ruling reaffirms the constitutional principle that a person who goes out of his way to take offense does not have a constitutional claim under the Establishment Clause." Mateer said, "We are pleased that the Court has rejected this constitutional challenge and this Ten Commandments Monument may remain with other monuments on the Oklahoma Capitol grounds."

In this case of American Atheists, Inc., et al., v. Trait Thompson, Chair of the State Capitol Preservation Commission, et al., an anti-faith group and its activists argued that the monument is unconstitutional because it contains religious imagery and is located on government property. The federal judge's ruling follows a recent ruling by an Oklahoma state court  judge, declaring that the Ten Commandments monument on the Oklahoma capitol grounds is constitutional.

About Liberty Institute
Liberty Institute is a national nonprofit legal group dedicated to defending and restoring religious liberty across America — in our schools, for our churches and throughout the public arena. Liberty's vision is to reestablish religious liberty in accordance with the principles of our nation's Founders. For information, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org.

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