Bible Verses Removed From Grand Canyon Site
Three plaques with Bible verses were removed from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon after federal parks officials decided the markers violated the separation of church and state.
Thirty years ago, the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary in Phoenix affixed the plaques to buildings at Hermits Rest, Lookout Studio and Desertview Tower -- popular viewing areas.
But the Arizona American Civil Liberties Union and others recently complained that displaying the verses -- Psalms 68:4, 66:4 and 104:24 -- was unconstitutional.
The Department of Interior determined that the plaques were not appropriate for a federal public park, said Maureen Oltrogge, spokeswoman for Grand Canyon National Park. They were removed July 9.
The Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary said it was “stunned” by the decision.
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