Sect seeks to erect monument while suit is pending

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Pleasant Grove is asking a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit by a Salt Lake City religious group that wants to erect a monument in a city park.

But Summum, a small sect based on Gnostic Christianity, asked U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball to allow it to erect a display of its Seven Aphorisms while the suit is pending.

The group is seeking equal space for its own marker in the park that has a Ten Commandments monument.

At issue are the Establishment Clauses in the state and federal constitutions, which prohibit the promotion of one religion over another.

Kimball says he will issue a ruling later in the dispute, which has garnered national attention.

What are ... Summum's Seven Aphorisms?

Summum is a religion and philosophy that began in 1975. Its philosophy stems from what it considers to be principles of nature that cannot be accredited to any person. The "Seven Summum Principles" include Psychokinesis, Correspondence, Vibration, Opposition, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender. -Summum

Summum sued Pleasant Grove in 2005 over its refusal to let it put up its monument.

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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune