FFRF Action Fund’s “Secularist of the Week” is a state representative who opposed a resolution proclaiming that “Christ is King” during a debate on the Oklahoma House floor last week.
HCR 1013, authored by Oklahoma state Sen. Shane Jett and state Rep. Jim Olsen, would acknowledge the Christian “spiritual heritage of Oklahoma” and have the state proclaim that “Christ is King” to honor “the role of faith in the history and culture of Oklahoma.”
Among other members of the House Democratic Caucus, Oklahoma state Rep. Michelle McCane, representing District 72, argued on the House floor last week that the resolution would exclude Oklahomans who are not Christian, while also elevating Christianity above other religions and nonreligion in the eyes of the state. McCane is an open atheist.
The two-hour debate took place during “Holy Week,” the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. In her allotted three minutes and 45 seconds, McCane said: “I’m standing up against this resolution, not because I happen to be an atheist and disagree with the resolution itself. I would actually gladly support a resolution to acknowledge Christian contributions to our state’s history, especially if we would be truthful about some of the things it has contributed to, which are not positive.”
“My issue with this particular resolution is not about Christianity at all,” McCane continued. “The representative clearly stated it is about specifically the deity that he believes to be Christ, and that is not a set agreement amongst all Christian groups. And, so, even for Christians, this resolution is exclusionary.”
McCane highlighted that she does not “believe as a state we should be excluding anyone.” She also addressed the Republican lawmakers quoting from the bible, who there were many of, and said, “And to my colleagues who want to operate from a place of scripture, Romans 13 says, ‘Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.’”
“So, for starters, I do appreciate that your God apparently placed me here,” McCane said. “I’m grateful for that, so that I can also tell you that the Constitution requires a separation of church and state, and according to the scripture of the God that the representative says he wants to acknowledge in this resolution, we are to follow the governing authority of this country.”
McCane asserted that it is “grossly inappropriate” for a state “to uplift any one religion.” She said, “I would gladly, gladly support and debate in favor of a resolution to acknowledge the Christian citizens in our state, to acknowledge their contributions, and even their beliefs. What I do not believe is appropriate for us as a government body is to stand here and declare that one specific belief is the highest above all others.”
McCane concluded her debate: “Also, we are a democracy, and do not even have kings, so again, inappropriate. It’s a waste of time and resources. It has wasted taxpayer funds by having our legal department even type it up. And, so, I encourage all of you to vote no on this and to also report this to DOGE.”
In addition, McCane formally posed a question to Olsen, the House author of HCR 1013: “Representative, the very first line of your resolution, lines 15 and 16, says that ‘Oklahoma has a rich history rooted in faith, resilience, and a commitment to values that uplift its people.’ And, I was wondering if you could explain to me how the first law passed by Oklahoma uplifted its people.” McCane clarified that the first law passed by Oklahoma’s Legislature was a law codifying segregation. Expectedly, Olsen did not have a direct answer to McCane’s question.
After a heated debate, the resolution passed through the House in a 71-16 vote, with all present Republicans voting in favor of the resolution and all present Democrats voting against it. The resolution now heads to the Senate.
We thank McCane, an open atheist, for standing up for Oklahomans of all religions and nonreligion in opposing HCR 1013. The Oklahoma Legislature should not elevate Christianity over all other belief systems.
FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues.