What are you thoughts on the removal of the 10 Commandments statue at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 13:10:52 -0400

This is a complete outrage in my opinion! Do they really believe that removing the statue is necessary. I'm personally sick of everyone getting the darn feelings hurt of things are supposed to be in place. What is there thought process... If the statue isn't there they can do whatever they want. At the end God will take care of it all! I pray for healing in our Nation! God WE need your help!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 30 at 2015 1:20 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 13:20:07 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member I totally agree. I understand the need for the seperation of church and state (or) Government, but that is a little ridiculous.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Jun 30 at 2015 1:28 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 13:28:33 -0400

Maybe instead of removing statues of Biblical Commandments, people would be more satisfied if we just added tenets and instruction from other religions? We could add the five pillars of Islam, maybe? And the five principles of Hinduism? I mean, there are countless religions and faiths in the country - it would be nice if the government chose to acknowledge them all equally.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 1:30 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 13:30:06 -0400

I'm just wondering how a statue can force religion on someone. Is the statute jumping out & grabbing said person? Is the statue proselytizing to said person? Just having the statue there is not the government proclaiming that it is the established religion of said State. In fact, modern law is based on Mosaic Law - that which is contained on the 10 Commandments.

To use a statement made by others, "If you don't like it, you can look the other way." But I guess that only applies to one group, not all.

Response by LTC J. Lee Mudd made Jun 30 at 2015 1:34 PM

LTC J. Lee Mudd — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 13:34:40 -0400

Although I am Pagan and don't particularly recognize the authority of any deity to establish moral codes, I do -somewhat-equate the removal of certain cultural symbols with the destruction of ancient religious artifacts in Iraq by the Islamic State...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 30 at 2015 1:55 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 13:55:56 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member, personally I am not surprised that there are groups pushing for the removal of statues honoring the 10 commandments. Similar groups have been fighting the display of crèches at Christmas.
1. It is sad that people want to expend energy to tear down statues and other displays of our national and religious heritage. In some ways this is similar to ISIL, except that unlike the ISIL thugs the people wanting to take down crosses and statutes usually do not plan on selling them on the black market to fund terrorist activities.
2. As a former atheist and now believer in the atoning sacrifice of my Lord and Savior, I realize that external displays can be artful, historically significant and help people understand important aspects of our culture and heritage.
3. The most important aspect of a faith in God through Christ is that it is primarily internal and sealed by the Holy Spirit. The greatest commandment is the love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and strength. The second is is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Christ taught that our neighbor can be people we learned to hate. He also taught us to pray for those who persecute and despitefully use us and to pray for our leaders that we may live peaceful and quiet lives. "They will know us by our love for one another"
SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas, SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", CH (MAJ) William Beaver, SPC Edward Tapper

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 2:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 14:44:34 -0400

My opinion is that it belongs on private instead of public property. Surely there is someone who can place it in a prominent location on private land. A less preferable alternative would be to encourage other religions to put up their own monument next to it.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 30 at 2015 2:49 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 14:49:53 -0400

I'd bet in most of these cases people are arguing for the removal on nothing but principle rather than the fact that it really "offending" them. It's so sad that this is what this country has come to. A few years back we had a school prayer removed from my old high school auditorium. It was non-denominational but referenced God and 1 student, 1 entire student, was offended by it. She was offended only because she was serving as her father's mouth piece and he had a beef with the school. Of course the ACLU took her side and made a media circus of it until it was covered over and eventually removed. So much for majority rules.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jun 30 at 2015 3:21 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:21:06 -0400

It doesn't belong there, get it out. If you want a theocracy, I suggest you try Iran.

The real question is why are YOU upset and have hurt feelings over it? Is your faith in God or the civil religion that is American Christianity? Would you equally advocate if another faith wanted to put something similar next to it?

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jun 30 at 2015 3:35 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:35:26 -0400

Absolute BS... This country is doing things that other oppressive regimes have done throughout history. This crap has got to stop.

Response by MSG Gerry Poe made Jun 30 at 2015 3:42 PM

MSG Gerry Poe — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:42:17 -0400

Federal government is micromanaging the state's way to much so to not butt hurt ppl!!!! Stupidity is what I call it!!!

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Jun 30 at 2015 11:05 PM

SPC George Rudenko — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 23:05:43 -0400

I know one place, that had a christian preacher with a table in the city hall and he just offered free prayer.... an atheist complained.. The solution, they gave the atheist a table. Should we allow other religions to put displays on public property?

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 2 at 2015 3:12 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:12:15 -0400

The law is the law, if it's not supposed to be there, it's not supposed to be there. Maybe you just believe in the laws you believe in? What's so hard about this? If a statue of Muhammed was there, would you still feel the same?

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jul 6 at 2015 3:13 PM

SGT Richard H. — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 15:13:31 -0400

Personally, I say put it to a public vote. If 51% of voters want to keep it, it stays.

Response by SPC Arlene Calixto-Campbell made Jul 6 at 2015 4:38 PM

SPC Arlene Calixto-Campbell — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:38:47 -0400

It makes me angry because I am a Christian and I love my God!!!!

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 28 at 2015 6:49 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 18:49:57 -0400

CPT Robert Ashman, That Monument has no meaning, there are so many that are anger by the removal but at the same time do not practice the Commandments, in fact how many Commandments will they break to show their displeasure. Ask your self about using God's Name in Vane.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 28 at 2015 11:49 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 23:49:16 -0400

Our laws are based in part on them. They should have been left in place.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jul 28 at 2015 11:54 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 23:54:59 -0400

I think it is ridiculous. The left wants it removed because they cannot adhere to the ten commandments...lol... :-)..No, but really. Come on....this has to stop. before we know it there will be nothing left of what was here...and there are many things that have been here for many many years.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 28 at 2015 11:56 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 23:56:45 -0400

2009, Oklahoma State Representative Mike Ritze sponsored a bill to have a monument to the Ten Commandments installed at the capitol. His family supplied $10,000 to fund the monument, which was installed in 2012.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Jul 29 at 2015 2:25 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 02:25:33 -0400

can anyone tell me --How is that not going against Freedom of religion ?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 3:12 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 03:12:42 -0400

removal of the Ten Commandments and look what Detroit did this week we are all screwed

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Jul 29 at 2015 2:24 PM

CW4 Guy Butler — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 14:24:55 -0400

I thought about being outraged, but I decided to look at the Oklahoma State Constitution first:

"Section II-5: Public money or property - Use for sectarian purposes.

No public money or property shall ever be appropriated,
applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use,
benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system
of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest,
preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or dignitary, or
sectarian institution as such."

Now I'm tending towards amused. Seems pretty cut and dry.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 29 at 2015 2:26 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 14:26:26 -0400

CPT Robert Ashman, the statue of the 10 Commandments was put up in 2012 by a politician to gain votes, that use is bad. People have been con and continue to be conned therefore remove the statue..

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 29 at 2015 6:49 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:49:06 -0400

We have a new enemy from within. Their ideology is based on selfishness and hate.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Jul 30 at 2015 3:35 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 03:35:32 -0400

I don't think they should be removed, as a Christian I love the idea of their place outside of the capital. However, if they want to keep them then they should by law be required to open up the opportunity for people of other faiths in the state to also have representative monuments. The government cannot show favoritism to one and shun the others. Despite that, monuments to the various faiths should be funded by said faiths if they want them built and installed and not funded directly by the capital or state government, at least not in the name of the government.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Aug 3 at 2015 3:32 PM

CW4 Guy Butler — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 15:32:12 -0400

Looks like the Oklahoma legislature has filed a resolution to remove the offending portion from the Oklahoma State Constitution:

http://m.tulsaworld.com/news/capitol_report/legislators-push-proposed-amendment-to-oklahoma-constitution-to-allow-ten/article_93fc417c-5eda-5873-b367-d27450ebf04c.html?mode=jqm

It'll be a long process; it can't be taken up until February, and would need to be voted on by the people of Oklahoma. If it passes, though, the 10 Commandments can stay, and that statue of Baphomet can get donated as well.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jan 1 at 2016 4:55 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 16:55:08 -0500

Why is it so offensive to this group or person who wants it removed? What does this person or group of people take such offense to this? Just because there is a statue of the 10 commandments up doesn't mean they have to follow it....doesn't mean that they have to pay attention to it....It means a lot to many folks...a great deal....these folks that want it taken down...WHAT are they so AFRAID OF? Is it hurting them in any way? Is it harming them or putting them into harms way? Why do they even have to pay attention to it? They don't have to read it! They don't have to look at it! they don't have to believe it. WHY DOES IT BOTHER THEM SO MUCH?
NEXT THING YOU KNOW THESE FOLKS are going to want to get rid of all BOOKS or any WRITTEN material of ALL Religious groups.

This is such BULLCRAP and it needs to stop. I don't see how the courts can make the call and force the removal of this or anything else RELIGIOUS or anything to do with the CIVIL WAR or anything else that SOMEONE who doesn't believe the same WANTs to have it removed!

THIS IS SO STUPID....IT'S PETTY....IT'S RIDICULOUS!!!!!

Response by Antonio Young made Aug 17 at 2017 11:10 AM

Antonio Young — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:10:40 -0400

The complexity of this problem is so intricate, to the untrained eye, it appears as simple as black and white. When in reality it is nothing more than dollars and cents….. If everyone would just stop and take one big step back, you would be surprised how many wealthy toes you step on…. What you are observing in today’s society is a combination of miss guided anger and manipulation on mass scale. The lack of common sense and the increase in impulsive behavior provides credit to my previous statement. For example, yesterday a black protester, while on camera screams, “Black Power, Black Unity, the white man is the devil”. However, this individual has a white girlfriend and biracial children…. During a rally a white protester is recorded saying “niggers are violent and destructive and have no place in America”. However, it was discovered that this person had three black groomsmen in his own wedding….. A black teenager was arrested for vandalizing a confederate statue. When ask why he did this, he responded with “the white man put “USE” in slavery and that is why we can’t get good jobs and live the good life”. However, this young man voluntarily dropped out of high school and fathered multiple children, which has caused a financial burden he could not carry………. A white protester was videoed saying, “we need to stop this hatred and come together”. However, before this video ended she stated “all white people are racist and this will never end”. …..... What you must understand is, this is not a black vs white problem, but the wealthy influencing our actions through media and ignorance to line their own pockets. ((((((Think People, Just Stop and Think. Will the outcome of this chaos benefit the average man or woman in America??? ))))))…. My statement may fall on deaf ears or be regarded as nonsense, but just keep this in mind……..……Whenever there is fire blazing in society, the person fanning the flames, is one getting paid……

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2020 12:52 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 12:52:24 -0500

No religion is more important than any other, no matter how strongly a person feels about it. The government - whether federal, state, or municipal shall favor one over the others. It's pretty simple. The 10 Commandments are not the law of the land, the Constitution is. Theres the answer.
This is not a Christian country....despite as many Christian's believe it to be.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2020 6:21 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 18:21:52 -0500

Personally, I don't care about any religion. Either take it all down from public and government locations or keep it. But if they keep Christian verbiage, monuments, or whatever, don't bitch if other religions want to do the same thing.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jul 3 at 2020 4:38 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 16:38:43 -0400

I'm all for leaving it there as long as you are fine with installing muslim, buddhist, janist, jewish, and athesits monuments.
Also, what do you mean "if the statue isn't there they can do whatever they want"? Who are "they"?
I don't need any god's help. He/she/it has never provided any help since the beginning of recorded history. If you state a god has helped then you need to provide evidence. Any statement made without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Also, of the 613 biblical commandments, the ten of which you speak are hardly moral. The only one on that list that has any real morality in society is "do not bare false witness". That is it. The others are immoral disgusting, abhorrent commands designed to instill a slave mentality and I want no part of it.