An Oklahoma state representative filed a constitutional amendment Monday for the 2016 legislative session to remove the language that formed the basis for the ruling that stated that the 10 Commandments monument had to be removed from state Capitol grounds.

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A court decision forcing the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from the Statehouse grounds last year so angered Republican leaders in Oklahoma that several measures have been introduced in an effort to bring it back.At least four resolutions -- two each in the House and Senate -- seek a public vote on whether to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to remove the language that prohibits the use of public money or property from benefiting a religion. The state Supreme Court cited that language last year in its decision that the monument was a religious symbol and must be removed."I believe this has hit a strong nerve with the people of Oklahoma," said freshman Rep. John Paul Jordan, a Republican from Oklahoma City who authored of one of the resolutions. "I believe this battle is a battle that belongs to the people of Oklahoma."Jordan also suggested the high court's ruling could force the removal of some Native American artwork with religious themes from state buildings or prohibit Medicaid funding from going to hospitals supported by religious affiliations.But Ryan Kiesel, director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, which challenged the placement of the monument, called those arguments "bogus red herrings.""There's nothing in the state constitution or any court decision interpreting our constitution that in any way jeopardizes the legitimate delivery of state services to the people of Oklahoma," said Kiesel, a former Democratic state lawmaker.A similar measure by Edmond Republican Rep. Randy Grau passed a House committee last week and now heads the full House, where it is likely to be approved.Kiesel accused GOP lawmakers of using the monument as a "political gimmick.""They should stop trying to use religion as a political weapon," Kiesel said. "No Oklahoman, regardless of their faith or lack of faith, should ever be made to feel like they are a second-class citizen by politicians who seem to think that not only should everyone be a Christian, but should be their brand of Christian."Kiesel's organization also has backed legal challenges to Ten Commandments monuments placed on courthouse lawns in Johnston and Haskell counties. In the Haskell County case, the small, rural county in the eastern part of the state was required to pay legal fees of around $200,000 after the court ordered the monument removed.Even if the Oklahoma voters decide to amend the constitution and return the monument to the Statehouse, Kiesel vowed to challenge it again in federal court under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution."I think there's a significant chance that we would prevail, which means Oklahomans would have to foot the bill for yet another monument's removal," Kiesel said.