GROUP SEEKS TO REMOVE CROSS ATOP UNIVERSITY CHAPEL IN ADA, OK

Group seeks to remove cross atop university chapel in Ada

ADA — The cross atop a chapel at East Central University is under fire from Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

The advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., is seeking the removal of crosses on top of and inside the building, along with Bibles and an altar.

ECU President Katricia Pierson said Friday the university will convene a committee of students, faculty and community members who represent a diversity of viewpoints to study the issue.

One day earlier, Pierson had said the religious items would be removed from the Kathryn P. Boswell Memorial Chapel.

"We moved too quickly. We regret not taking time to pause and thoughtfully consider the request and the results of our actions on all of the students, faculty and community members who we serve," Pierson said Friday.

In a letter to Pierson dated June 20, Americans United requested all religious items be removed or covered.

"While it is legal for a public university to have a space that can be used by students for religious worship so long as that space is not dedicated solely to that purpose, it is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to display religious iconography on government property," the letter stated.

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"The cross displays and the various other religious displays in the chapel plainly violate the law. Please remove them."

The organization received a complaint May 1 from someone locally, said Ian Smith, staff attorney. He declined to say if the person is an ECU student or faculty member.

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Local pastor and 1986 ECU graduate Randall Christy said: "This is a great place with great people. We do not need outside people who hate the cross to force their beliefs on our community.

"People all over American are upset that local communities are being forced to remove items of their history and heritage. Displaying a cross on a chapel does not establish a religion," said Christy, pastor of Union Valley Church south of Ada and founder of The Gospel Station Network based in Ada.

Pierson said the initial decision to remove the crosses and other religious items was made after consulting with attorneys for ECU and the Regional University System of Oklahoma. 

A few items were removed before the action was put on hold pending deliberations by the committee to be formed.

"ECU will not take further action, either by putting back the removed items, or by removing further artifacts, including the cross on the steeple, until the committee has had ample time to discuss and establish policies or guidelines for religious expressions in the art, history, architecture, study and areas of worship on campus," she said.

The chapel, opened in 1957, was a gift to ECU from S.C. Boswell in memory of his wife. It has been used by various religious groups and clubs on campus, as well as for weddings, concerts and events.

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My comments: The godless, Socialist, Secular Humanists seek to ERADICATE Christianity from the Public Square, and eventually from the U.S. Entirely. This is in Preparation for their receiving their "god," the son of Satan, the Beast of Revelation, the Antichrist, whom they will bow down to, and worship, and receive his "mark." (Revelation 13)