In a bold move that has stirred considerable debate, Oklahoma’s State Superintendent Ryan Walters has announced the acquisition of over 500 Bibles specifically for AP government classes. This initiative, framed as a quest for “academic excellence,” has drawn sharp criticism from those who argue it infringes upon the state’s Constitution.
Walters champions this effort as essential for providing students with critical historical, cultural, and literary context, claiming, “I will take every step possible to ensure Oklahoma students have the resources they need to fully understand American history.” His assertion implies that the Bible is not merely a religious text, but a key to unlocking the complexities of American historical thought.
In his announcement, Walters stated that along with the Bible, foundational documents like the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights are integral to understanding the narrative of American history. He lamented that “the radical left has driven the Bible out of the classroom,” suggesting that this exclusion has led to a diminished understanding of the nation’s past.
The Bible purchases are part of a broader initiative to equip every Oklahoma classroom with Bibles and other patriotic materials, including the Pledge of Allegiance and significant founding documents. However, this initiative is not without its detractors. Legal challenges have emerged, with opponents contending that the program breaches the Oklahoma Constitution’s prohibition on public funding for religious purposes and unfairly promotes one religious perspective over others by utilizing a Protestant version of the Bible.
A lawsuit spearheaded by civil rights organizations, including the ACLU of Oklahoma and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, seeks to halt this mandate. The plaintiffs argue that Walters and the state Board of Education lack the authority to enforce such a requirement, raising significant questions about the separation of church and state in educational settings.
New Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism
In addition to the Bible purchases, Walters recently announced the establishment of a new Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism within the state’s Department of Education. He claims this office will safeguard the constitutional rights of teachers and students, specifically referencing a case in Skiatook where Bible quotes were expunged from a classroom due to legal threats.
Walters drew parallels between this new office and President-elect Donald Trump’s “Freedom to Pray” initiative, asserting that Oklahoma would uphold the rights of students and teachers to engage in prayer within educational environments. Since his election in 2022, Walters has positioned himself against what he describes as progressive ideologies, including efforts to restrict materials deemed inappropriate for school curricula.
Yet, the push for Bible inclusion in public school lesson plans has ignited further opposition. In October, a coalition of parents, educators, and ministers filed a separate lawsuit challenging Walters’s initiative, which aims to integrate the Bible into lesson plans for grades 5–12. They also object to the proposed expenditure of $3 million on Bible purchases, contending that it violates the state’s constitutional separation of church and state. Despite these challenges, Walters remains defiant, vowing via social media to “never back down.”
As Walters persists with his educational agenda, he aligns the goals of the education department with Trump’s “Ten Principles for Great Schools Leading to Great Jobs,” a framework outlined in the president-elect’s Agenda 47 plan for a potential second term.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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