State lawmakers have voted to include the phrase "in the year of our Lord" on some of their documents.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports House and Senate lawmakers passed resolutions requiring the phrase to be included in the date on all of their simple resolutions and floor citations.

Republican state Sen. Albert Robinson sponsored the Senate measure as part of his effort to "anywhere and everywhere I can to respect our creator."

The phrase "in the year of our Lord" is in both the U.S. and Kentucky constitutions and other historic documents, including President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. And Republican Gov. Matt Bevin includes the phrase in his signed proclamations.

Fred Lovell Jr., a member of the Louisville Atheists and Freethinkers, said the measure is not necessary.

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