FFRF Action Fund’s “Theocrats of the Week” are the Republican Oklahoma representatives who pushed a resolution proclaiming that “Christ is King” through the Legislature last week.
HCR 1013, authored by Oklahoma state Sen. Shane Jett and state Rep. Jim Olsen, acknowledges the Christian “spiritual heritage of Oklahoma” by having the state proclaim that “Christ is King” to honor “the role of faith in the history and culture of Oklahoma.” A two-hour debate occurred over the resolution last week before it was approved by the House through a floor vote. The resolution was approved along party lines in a 71-16 vote. The resolution now moves to the Senate, where quick action is expected.
Olsen, representing Oklahoma’s 2nd District, claims that his resolution affirms Oklahoma’s Christian spiritual heritage. “This resolution is a bold testament to Oklahoma’s faith-based legacy,” Olsen professed. “During Holy Week, we honor the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and reaffirm the principles that guide our state. I’m proud to lead this effort to declare ‘Christ is King’ and call upon the help of the ‘Supreme Judge of the World.’”
Olsen’s resolution tries to bypass concerns for state-church separation by stating, “This resolution is not intended to establish any religion or infringe upon the rights of any individual.” Although it then reads, “This proclamation serves as an expression of gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon the State of Oklahoma and as a recognition of the enduring influence of Christian faith in the lives of its people.”
On the House floor, Olsen introduced the resolution before the lengthy debate by reciting parts of its text for clarification: “Whereas the phrase ‘Christ the King’ represents a declaration of faith for millions of Oklahomans and Christians worldwide, symbolizing the sovereignty of Jesus Christ as a source of hope, unity, and moral guidance.”
Olsen then responded to a question from Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, a Democrat, who questioned whether he had concerns about alienating non-Christian Oklahomans through his resolution. Olsen replied: “This is a resolution, not a bill. We’re not affirming that all Oklahomans are Christians; some of them choose not to be, which is their right.” To a question from Democratic Rep. Andy Fugate about Oklahoma’s religious history and its support of tribal schools that forced violent assimilation onto Native Americans, Olsen answered, “Christianity has a glorious, wonderful history. More people have been changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ than any other religion or philosophy in the history of man.” Addressing Oklahoma’s tribal schools, Olsen only said, “Now, anything involving people has faults and flaws.”
Republican state Rep. Clay Staires, representing Oklahoma’s 66th District, used his allotted time in the floor debate to recite scripture: “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life,’ in John 14:6. We pray daily that the Lord would bless our state and our nation.” Staires went on to quote three more passages of scripture, concluding with, “Members, I encourage you to stand today, Jesus is King.” Republican state Rep. Kyle Hilbert, representing Oklahoma’s 29th District, also took up his debate time quoting scripture.
State Rep. Brian Hill, also Republican, representing Oklahoma’s 47th District, repeated a common Christian nationalist notion: “During my seven years here, I’ve heard a lot of statements, some not true, kind of like, that in the Constitution, that it says the separation of church and state, which it doesn’t.” He later tried to depict Christians as a persecuted class in the United States.
Olsen ended the floor debate by going on a Christian nationalist rant. “I will tell you that when I ran for office, I ran very publicly, very straightforwardly as an unashamed Christian. … I was elected as a representative rooted in biblical values,” he said.
“We’re told [this resolution] is rooted in Christian nationalism. No,” professed Olsen. He also addressed our “Secularist of the Week,” state Rep. Michelle McCane, and her mention of the Oklahoma Legislature’s history of codifying segregation by stating, “I had no plans to bring up segregation, you know, before I walked into the chamber this morning. But, if you insist, I will remind you that the party that voted for segregation was the Democrat Party.” (Of course, this completely ignores the party realignment that took place during the Civil Rights Movement.)
“I have personally, using my own times and treasure, brought the gospel to people of another race, another culture, and another language, and I have been gloriously privileged to see the power of that gospel change people’s lives, saving, sanctifying, filling with the Holy Ghost, healing, giving a transformed life,” Olsen continued. “I believe that Jesus Christ is alive today. We are told that we’re a democracy. We are not a democracy. We are a constitutional republic. Our nation is so heavily rooted and infused with biblical beliefs.” (The United States is, in fact, a representative democracy.)
Olsen concluded: “Christian principles have had an overarching and foundational influence on our nation from the beginning. And, so it is in that spirit we bring forth this resolution proclaiming that ‘Christ is King.’”
FFRF Action Fund chastises Olsen and the Republican lawmakers who recited scripture on the House floor to justify their “Christ is King” resolution. Olsen and his party are only serving Christian Oklahomans with this resolution, completely overriding the separation of state and church and denying its constitutional existence.
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.