Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters announced that classrooms from grades 5 through 12 must have a Bible, and all teachers are required to teach from it. “It’s crystal clear to us that in the Oklahoma academic standards under Title 70 on multiple occasions, the Bible is a necessary historical document to teach our kids about the history of this country, to have a complete understanding of Western civilization, to have an understanding of the basis of our legal system,” Walters said at a June 27 State Board of Education meeting. This directive follows Louisiana's recent decision to become the first state in the U.S. to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. In a news release cited by the New York Times, Walters described the Bible as an “indispensable historical and cultural touchstone” and insisted it must be taught in specific grade levels. “The Bible is a necessary historical document to teach our kids about the history of this country, to have a complete understanding of Western civilization, to have an understanding of the basis of our legal system,” Walters said in his announcement, adding that “every teacher, every classroom in the state will have a Bible in the classroom.”Oklahoma’s top education official has directed all public schools to teach the Bible and the Ten Commandments.
Oklahoma kids will learn that the Bible and the Ten Commandments are foundational for western civilization. The left is upset, but one cannot rewrite history. pic.twitter.com/iZKhv9tKoc This move has sparked swift opposition and is expected to face legal challenges. “Public schools are not Sunday schools,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. “This is textbook Christian Nationalism: Walters is abusing the power of his public office to impose his religious beliefs on everyone else’s children. Not on our watch.” Interfaith Alliance, a national organization that seeks to protect religious freedoms, told CNN in a statement: “This is blatant religious coercion that should have absolutely no place in public schools – in Oklahoma or any other state.” The group added, “True religious freedom means ensuring that no one religious group is allowed to impose their viewpoint on all Americans. The vast majority of people of faith in this country reject these dangerous, intimidating efforts to force a Christian nationalist agenda into our schools, our courts and our government.”
— Superintendent Ryan Walters (@RyanWaltersSupt) June 27, 2024
