Oklahoma college reconsiders plans to remove religious symbols from campus chapel

The officials at East Central University (ECU) in Ada, Oklahoma are reconsidering their decision to remove religious symbols and Bibles from the campus chapel following backlash from politicians and religious leaders.

Last week, the university announced its plans to remove Bibles, crosses and other religious symbols from the Kathryn P. Boswell Memorial Chapel after it received a letter from the Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Americans United noted that the public university is allowed to have a space that can be used for religious worship, as long as it is not dedicated solely for that purpose. However, the group called for the removal of the religious symbols, insisting that displaying religious iconography on government property is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

In a statement released on Thursday, the university officials expressed plans to remove the religious items.

"We discussed (the matter) with ECU's executive council and with the general counsel of the Regional University System of Oklahoma and we are responding appropriately. ECU is doing its best to follow the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution," ECU President Dr. Katricia Pierson stated, as reported by KFOR.

The decision drew criticisms from some religious leaders, who maintained that it is not wrong for a university to display crosses.

"It's time for Christian people to take a stand for our history and heritage. The idea that the cross excludes people is not true -- it's the opposite. The cross represents that all are welcome, that people of all walks of life are loved by God," said Randall Christy, founder of the Gospel Station Network.

After drawing backlash, the university officials announced that they will suspend the removal of the religious symbols for now.

"We moved too quickly," Pierson said, "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," she added.

Pierson initially noted that the university decided to remove the symbols to show support for all cultures and religious beliefs. She said that the school will immediately begin convening a committee of students, faculty and community members who represent a diversity of viewpoints to discuss the issue.

The university president further stated that the school will neither take away any further artifacts nor return the removed items until the committee discusses the issue and establishes policies or guidelines for religious expression on campus.

Christy, who serves as the pastor of Union Valley Church, south of Ada, told Tulsa World that he contacted the American Center for Law and Justice and the Liberty Counsel, two Christian law firms, to "find out if we qualify for representation."