Outrage over a Republican lawmaker's reference of Francis Scott Key fueled a lengthy debate Tuesday over legislation allowing the nation's motto, "In God We Trust" to be displayed on public property.

The legislation sponsored by state Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, was approved with a 91-4 vote, but not after a more than two-hour racially-charged debate that often veered away from the legislation's original intent.

"I believe it was a good debate, the part of the debate that was on point," said Standridge, following the vote, recognizing opposition from some lawmakers over religious freedom concerns. "There were some parts of the debate that were not on point and dealt with other circumstances."

Those circumstances surfaced following comments by Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Birmingham, who praised the history of the motto from the little-known fourth stanza of the Star-Spangled Banner, penned by Key in 1814.

But it's the National Anthem's controversial third stanza -- and Key's history as a Maryland slave owner who, as a U.S. Attorney, prosecuted abolitionists -- which drew fierce backlash from representatives of the Alabama Black Caucus.

The ire was first sparked by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham. "This is ridiculous that Representative Mooney came here defending this piece of legislation with the comments he made. When you come here and talk about black folks and defend a bill on the backs of black folks, you better come here with some straight talk," she said.

Said Rep. Ralph Howard, D-Greensboro: "You would think a person that is a member of the Alabama Legislature would know something about history."

Added Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery and chairman of the Black Caucus: "What happened tonight, I hope it serves as an educational tool to be sensitive to things that impact all of us."

Mooney declined comment after the vote.

State Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, speaks to the media after legislation he sponsored allowing for "In God We Trust" displays on public buildings and vehicles was approved by the Alabama House on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Displaying the national motto is nothing new in Alabama, but the issue has been relatively quiet since activists pushed to have it unveiled at city halls in coastal Alabama in 2015. Thirteen cities and four counties in Alabama have approved displays inside their buildings, with most of them located in Baldwin County.

The Mobile City Council also approved an "In God We Trust" display at Government Plaza, but only after hearing from irate atheists and those who support a separation of church and state. The motto has yet to be displayed in Mobile.

In Baldwin County, Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack's department has 40 vehicles with the nation's motto marked on patrol vehicles. That activity drew opposition from the Wisconsin-based Freedom of Religious Foundation, but Mack said he's had "almost 100 percent positive reaction."

"In God We Trust" has been the national motto since the 1956, during a tense time in the Cold War, when the U.S. wanted to distinguish itself from the Soviet Union, which promoted atheism. It was voted in by Congress to serve as an alternate or replacement of "E pluribus unum" (Latin for "Out of many, one"), which served as the country's de facto motto since 1782.

Rob Boston, spokesman with the Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said Alabama and other states "have a better option" by displaying the Latin version. "It's an inclusive, powerful phrase of simple eloquence that deserves to be posted in schools and government buildings."

Boston said the "In God We Trust" motto makes several theological claims, which references "one God that all Americans not only believe in but place their trust."

He said, "Yet we know that some Americans worship more than one god, and others don't believe in God at all. It's time for us to face the fact that this motto excludes large numbers of our fellow citizen and ask if it's appropriate for the government to promote a message that divides us instead of unites us."

How disappointing the the Alabama house is now legislating religion in the classroom. https://t.co/NzMbN56lif — E Pluribus Unum (@original_motto) February 7, 2018

Rep. Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham, was one of the few state lawmakers to speak in opposition of the motto from a religious freedom standpoint. She said the motto could harm economic development efforts in luring diverse business to Alabama.

"Personally, I think there should be a separation of church and state at every level," she said. "we are here to do the people's business. We all have different religious beliefs. To say your Bible is correct and the other is not is dangerous to us."

Standridge said the legislation does not mandate any government agency display the motto. That's unlike in South Carolina, where one Republican lawmaker is pitching a mandate that public schools display the motto on posters. Arkansas, last year, approved legislation mandating the motto on public school walls.

"What this does is let everyone know that you can do it, but that it' your decision locally," said Standridge.

He said that Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, will carry the proposal in the Senate.