Oklahoma’s State Superintendent Orders Public Schools to Teach the Bible in Grades 5-12
Controversial Directive Draws Criticism from Civil Rights Groups and Separation of Church and State Advocates
Oklahoma’s top education official, Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters, has ordered public schools to incorporate the Bible into lessons for grades 5-12, sparking immediate backlash from civil rights groups and supporters of the separation of church and state.
State Superintendent’s Rationale
In a statement, Walters claimed that the Bible is an “indispensable historical and cultural touchstone” and that instruction on it is necessary for students to “properly contextualize the foundation of our nation.” He emphasized that adherence to the mandate is “compulsory and immediate, and strict compliance is expected.”
Legal Questions Raised
However, it is unclear if Walters has the authority to mandate that schools teach the Bible. State law explicitly allows Bibles in the classroom and permits teachers to use them in instruction, but it is unclear if this applies to a state-level mandate. The law also gives individual school districts the authority to decide on instruction, curriculum, reading lists, instructional materials, and textbooks.
Criticisms from Civil Rights Groups
The head of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Adam Soltani, called the directive a “clear violation of the Constitution’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from ‘establishing’ a religion.” He emphasized that public schools are not “Sunday schools” and that students should not be forced to learn about religion as part of their education.
Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, was equally critical, stating that the directive 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.”
Context: Conservative Efforts to Incorporate Religion in Public Schools
The directive is part of a larger trend in which conservative-led states are attempting to incorporate religion into public schools. For example, Louisiana has required the posting of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, while others are under pressure to teach the Bible and ban books and lessons about race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Earlier this week, the Oklahoma Supreme Court blocked an attempt to establish the first publicly funded religious charter school in the country.
Background on State Superintendent Ryan Walters
Walters, a former public school teacher, was elected in 2022 on a platform of fighting “woke ideology,” banning books from school libraries, and getting rid of “radical leftists” who he claims are indoctrinating children in classrooms. He has clashed with leaders in both parties for his focus on culture-war issues, including transgender rights and banning books.
Conclusion
The Oklahoma State Superintendent’s directive to teach the Bible in public schools has sparked a heated debate about the role of religion in education and the separation of church and state. While some see it as an opportunity to promote cultural values and historical context, others view it as a violation of the Constitution and an abuse of power. As the controversy continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the debate over the place of religion in public education is far from over.
FAQs
Q: What is the Oklahoma State Superintendent’s rationale for the directive?
A: According to Ryan Walters, the Bible is an “indispensable historical and cultural touchstone” that is necessary for students to “properly contextualize the foundation of our nation.”
Q: Is the directive legal?
A: It is unclear if Walters has the authority to mandate that schools teach the Bible. State law explicitly allows Bibles in the classroom, but it is unclear if this applies to a state-level mandate.
Q: What is the reaction from civil rights groups?
A: The head of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State have both condemned the directive, calling it a clear violation of the Constitution’s Establishment Clause and an abuse of power.
Q: What is the context of conservative efforts to incorporate religion in public schools?
A: The Oklahoma directive is part of a larger trend in which conservative-led states are attempting to incorporate religion into public schools, including posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms and banning books and lessons about race, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
