Floyd, off the top of my head I think the etymology is Hebrew, and a quick look at VulSearch seems to confirm this. The *Biblia Sacra* (The Vulgate) simply translates it "Amen," straight to English. You may be thinking of "AMEN-RA," which does trace to Egyptian origins. Martyr may well have transliterated that to make it "fit" - though I'm not keen on such a theory, and don't recall a substantive scholarly discussion regarding it. I could be wrong, though. Further, the *Oratio Dominica* simply closes with "Amen" spelled just like it is at the end of the Catholic recitation of the 23rd Psalm. I'm really just not sure, and as soon as I get handy to the library in my study (too busy listening to the windbags on the cable discuss the debate right now), I'm going to research that, because it is interesting - and I know I've run into this subject years before, probably when I was still in college. I do know that "Amen" is used in all three monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

I was going to make a comment but David,Altus already made it @1:51. I would say Amen but he was a sun god. The god of King Tut ankh amen. The reason Amen is in the Bible supposedly is because Justin Martyr was looking for a translation for true and Amen was known as a true god. I believe Jason from Edmond is a Latin scholar and could verify if that is a true story.

all the statues are stupid, except the frog by the police dept. at least the frog isn't a mythical being

hehehe ...Jason said "erect" ...heheheh

Wow, a 26 inch tall statue?

Way to go, Mayor O'Neil! Long live the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Can we get a statue of that next? I'll be first in line to donate those private funds.

Falcones has this rather pointed sign on the wall. It reads the following people are not welcome to eat here. It then lists the Edmond mayor and all the city council who opposed his awning. He did get even though. He put up a red, green, and white skirting around the base of the building. I would like them to actually pass some codes that really beautify a city. Poway, CA allows no signs more than 3 feet tall. No golden arches, no shells, no monstrosities. It makes their main street look nice. It does make it harder to find places if you are new. It took me 20 minutes to find my hotel because there was no sign in the air to guide me. Of course I'll always miss my trips to Roberto's Tacos.

The link to the Farmer's Market? I'm not up on the cost benefits of that project, but I am all for the new underpass that's undergoing construction right now at Broadway & Covell. That Lowe's on Kelly is also a lot more convenient for those of us who live in north Edmond.

Now, if we could just get the mayor to halt public funding of the pedestrian bridge over Second St.

Besides myself, I count exactly one other poster commenting on this story who actually lives in Edmond. To hate a place so much, you folks sure do spend a lot of time fussing and worrying about it. Kinda like those Fundy preachers who figure the best way to "combat" pornography is to paw their way through reams and reams of it...In any event, this isn't not near as big a deal as is being made out. And, this being Edmond, the private funds will be quickly raised, if they haven't already. One of these days, they're going to erect a statue with public funds of Gandhi or Cesar Chavez or Gloria Steinem or some similar such idiot cum demi-god of the Left, and I'm going to bring my own lawsuit alleging separation of Church & State. I will be on firm grounds, too, since liberals worship their little tin gods, they just call it something else.

Oh and my name-sake put in a few golden-calves for the big cross on I-35. Way to donate some money. I'm sure "inspired and religous" when I look at a big cross.

But Jesus built Edmond, and the Mall of Christ on Bryant... didn't he?

Thank you Joe. I totally agree with the tax/aclu business.

Sallie, It was Falcone's Pizza and the city wouldn't allow them to put up their signature awning in red, green and white. I think the mayor made the right decision. I have no problem with the statue, or even using public funds for it, but I don't want to have to use tax dollars to defend an ACLU lawsuit!

I forgot about the flying spaghetti monster! LOL!!!!

Colin, didn't Edmond deny that pizza place (I am sorry, I don't remember the name) restaurant a sign to put on the front of their building. The company had been in New York and moved here? Did I imagine that? Anyway, it is nice to see a public figure taking a stand on anything these days. Way to go, Mr. Mayor

As a edmond residnet I am glad I dont have to pay for the statue, but my one problem is this....What happens if the store goes out of buisness? Will the statue go with it? Also, if I ever opened my 20's era cafe, can I get a statue of something if its privatly funded?

If the dollars collected come from willing donors, what is the problem? Start a drive of your own, collect funds from people who want to contribute and build your own statue. Very simple really.

Way to go Mayor O'Neil!

Don't forget a statue of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

http://www.venganza.org/

I want a statue dedicated to my god , the talking snake ...oh wait , maybe you know him by his other name ....SATAN !!!!!!!!!!! LMAO

How about we just designate an area for religious statues? We'll do one for Mohammed (whatever he looked like), and then a Buddha one, followed by Krishna. Can't forget the druids or Wicca. LOL!

I wouldn't have a problem with a statue of Jesus... if only they really knew what Jesus looked like! Whenever we see a picture of "Jesus", it is [[[ALWAYS]]] the artists vision of what Jesus looks like, not the real Jesus. The face on this bronze work could be the sculpture makers uncle George for all anyone knows. I also note that God didn't allow the Israelites to make any graven religious images with faces- so they wouldn't take up idol worship. As it is, there are a number of faiths and countless millions of people today that pray to statues / images.