UPDATE: Ten Commandments

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Commissioners appeal ruling

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Haskell County commissioners want the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a ruling that a Ten Commandments monument on the county's courthouse lawn violates the U.S. Constitution.

A three-judge panel concluded June 8 that the 8-foot-tall monument in Stigler is unconstitutional because its primary effect is to endorse religion. The commissioners are appealing that decision, asking the full 12-judge panel based in Denver to weigh in.

In their filing, the commissioners contend that the decision directly conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court's 2005 finding that upheld a 6-foot-tall Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas state Capitol.

The Tulsa World reports that the ruling stems from a challenge brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma and a Haskell County resident.

The appellate judges have given the ACLU until July 1 to respond to the request for a rehearing.

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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.