Oklahoma

An Oklahoma amendment that bans state judges from consulting Islamic law has been blocked from going into effect.

Judge Vicky Miles-Lagrange issued a preliminary injunction on Monday, ruling that the amendment "fosters an excessive government entanglement with religion."

Muneer Awad, executive director of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, filed a lawsuit after 70 percent of state voters passed Referendum Question 755 which states: "This measure ... makes courts rely on federal and state law when deciding cases. It forbids courts from considering or using international law. It forbids courts from considering or using Sharia Law." more >>

On the heels of celebrating the 60th anniversary of Oklahoma Christian University, president Mike O'Neal announced on Monday that he will not be seeking a longer term, giving notice to the board that they should begin a transition process for a new president.

O'Neal, who has served in his role since 2002, is expected to step down in June 2012 when his 10-year term commitment concludes. He notified the board of his plan Thursday.

In an announcement on the university's website, O'Neal said he wanted to give the board enough time to make an "orderly transition to the next president." more >>

A federal judge on Monday placed a temporary block on an Oklahoma amendment that bans state judges from consulting Sharia law.

U.S. Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange issued the temporary restraining order days after the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations filed a lawsuit.

CAIR alleges the amendment violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause that bars government bodies from making laws respecting the establishment of religion. more >>

Oklahoma voters will be asked to approve or reject a state constitutional amendment that would ban Islamic Sharia law from serving as a basis in the state's courts.

Question 755 of State Referendum 355 will ask Oklahoma residents to amend Article 7 of the state’s constitution to forbid the state’s courts from using or even consider Sharia law when ruling in a legal proceeding. Republican State Rep. Rex Duncan sponsored the proposed “Save our State” amendment in the state House of Representative and later won approval in the state Senate by a 41 to 2 margin.

Duncan believes, while there has been no example of Sharia law being practiced in Oklahoma state law, it is an issue that may become a problem in the state’s future. more >>

A liberal church-state separation group filed an IRS complaint Tuesday against an Oklahoma church whose pastor voiced support for a gubernatorial candidate from the pulpit.

Pastor Paul Blair of Fairview Baptist Church in Edmond, Okla., was participating in Pulpit Freedom Sunday when he spoke about a political candidate during his sermon. The Oklahoma pastor had joined about 100 of his colleagues nationwide in the annual event meant to defy an IRS rule that says churches cannot be involved in any political campaign or risk losing their tax-exempt status.

After hearing about Blair’s sermon, Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, urged the IRS to investigate the pastor and his church and to apply the IRS law. more >>

An Assemblies of God pastor who helped plant more than 1,000 churches in Malawi died last week at the age of 80.

According to reports, Dr. Dan Sheaffer died of a blood infection on Sept. 2. Sheaffer had led his former congregation, Crossroads Cathedral (named First Assembly of God until 1979), in Oklahoma City to plant churches in Malawi and throughout Africa and the Americas.

Crossroads Cathedral, which he founded, was one of the first megachurches in the Oklahoma City area and today has about 6,000 members. more >>