Hon. Michael G. Oxley: “I am troubled by the misinterpretation of the Constitution that has compelled us to introduce it and bring us here…”

“I am troubled by the misinterpretation of the Constitution that has compelled us to introduce it and bring us here today. Two months ago, with a 2-to-1 decision, a three-judge panel in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Ohio's official State motto, ``With God all things are possible.'' The court sided with the ACLU in declaring that the motto expresses a particular affinity towards Christianity and thus violates the establishment clause of the Constitution. While the phrase does appear in the Gospel according to Matthew, it actually predates Christianity by almost 1,000 years. The line ``With the gods all things are possible'' appears in Homer's Odyssey. Similar lines appear throughout other ancient Greek works and in the writings of Cicero, all of which were written before Matthew's counsel. According to the Council on American-Islamic relations, a similar phrase appears throughout the Koran. Mr. Speaker, certainly this simple phrase of optimism and faith is not offensive to anyone. These six words make no reference to Jesus Christ in this context, and cannot be said to promote the Christian faith in any way. The court's action is nothing more than political correctness run rampant.”