Oklahoma Representative: 'Monument Erected To Display History, Heritage Of Country'

An Oklahoma county judge dismissed the lawsuit that challenged the placement of the Ten Commandments monument at the State Capitol.

The ruling may end a two-year battle between The American Civil Liberties Union and an Oklahoma lawmaker.

Representative Mike Ritze said the monument isn't about religion, but preserving Oklahoma's history; but the ACLU said the statue is offensive to some Oklahomans, and they are willing to take their concerns to the Supreme Court.

1/15/2014 Related Story: Second Lawsuit Filed Over Oklahoma City Ten Commandments Monument

Friday, an Oklahoma judge ruled the six-foot statue displaying the Ten Commandments will stay.

“The monument was erected to display the history and heritage of our country. The court sights the Ten Commandments through the history and heritage of our country," Ritze said.

The ACLU filed a lawsuit claiming the statue which Ritze along with private donors paid nearly $10,000 dollar for is a nod to Christianity. The group is vowing to appeal the district Judge's ruling.

"Anyone can challenge that but I think because of the courts precedence, and the way we drafted the bill in the law, and it passed unanimously and was signed by the governor when we passed the legislation,” Ritze said.

In a statement the Executive Director ACLU of Oklahoma said:

"It marginalizes those Oklahomans of different faiths and no faith at all by sending a distinct message that they are less welcome at the State Capitol."

After the monument was erected a representative of the Satanic temple made plans for a statue next to the Ten Commandments.

"In Oklahoma it would have to go through the legislature and I don't think there would be much of a chance, and the Capitol Preservation Commission has said they would not erect something like that because it would be disgraceful to the state,” said Ritze.

The ACLU said if the state allows one religious expression, another has to be allowed as well.

"We never ever brought it up about our faith, we never debated that we used it strictly as that where we get the law and I've always revered the law and that's why I am a legislator too,” Ritze said.

Attorney General Scott Pruitt points out that the statue is constitutional because of its historical value. Pruitt said The U.S. Supreme Court found it constitutional in a similar case in Texas.