Oklahoma’s Bible Mandate Faces Legal Challenge

by Nicole Hunt | November 22, 2024 | Culture

The Americans for the Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union have claimed that Oklahoma’s recent state mandate to teach the Bible in schools is unconstitutional. Both organizations have filed a lawsuit on behalf of parents, teachers and pastors, claiming the mandate violates Oklahoma’s public funding laws in their state constitution.

As previously reported by the Daily Citizen, Oklahoma superintendent Ryan Walters sent a directive to all public schools requiring them to use the Bible as an instructional component in the classroom.

In a press conference, Walters stressed the importance of the Bible as “a necessary historical document to teach our kids about the history of this country, to have a complete understanding of Western Civilization, to have an understanding of the basis of our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” and as one of the foundational documents in American history.

In the lawsuit, opponents argue that the state’s action violates the state constitution because they plan to use public money to buy Protestant Bibles which they allege favors one religion over another. They also contend that the state doesn’t have the authority to require the use of the Bible as instructional material.

In response to the court filing, Walter posted on X:

Oklahomans will not be bullied by out-of-state, radical leftists who hate the principles our nation was founded upon. The simple fact is that understanding how the Bible has impacted our nation, in its proper historical and literary context, was the norm in America until the 1960s and its removal has coincided with a precipitous decline in American schools.
It is not possible for our students to understand the American history and culture without understanding the Biblical principles from which they came, so I am proud to bring back the Bible to every classroom in Oklahoma. I will never back down to the woke mob, no matter what tactic they use to try to intimidate Oklahomans.

Oklahoma law already permits the Bible to be used as an instructional resource in classrooms. The new directive, however, would require public schools to do so.

Despite the pending litigation, Walters announced on X last week that the state purchased 500 Bibles that will be used in AP History classrooms across the state.

He promised that they “will not stop until they’ve brought the Bible back to every classroom” in the state.

The United States Supreme Court has clarified the constitutional right to teach the Bible in public school settings as long as it’s objective and part of a secular education program.

Based on the actions of education officials in Oklahoma, it seems the state mandate aligns with the Supreme Court’s interpretation of a constitutional use of the Bible in the classroom.

The Daily Citizen will continue to follow this developing story.

Focus on the Family celebrates Bring Your Bible Day every October. The event gives Christians an opportunity to live out their faith by bringing their Bible and sharing what God’s Word means to them! You can register and learn more about Bring Your Bible Day.

At Focus on the Family, we want to help parents feel confident and equipped to handle issues affecting public – and private and online – schooling. Our new FREE downloadable resource, Equipping Parents for Back-to-School, helps you be aware of what’s going on in your child’s classroom and offers guidance for how to advocate for your child in the school year ahead.

Related articles and resources:

Oklahoma Superintendent Announces Plan to Place Bibles in Every School Classroom

Oklahoma Superintendent Directs All School Districts Teach the Bible

Equipping Parents for Back-to-School

‘Equipping Parents For Back-To-School’ – Updated Resource Empowers Parents

Is it ‘Book Banning’ to Keep Sexually Explicit Books out of Schools?

Louisiana’s Ten Commandments Bill is Good for Kids, Communities, and the Nation

Oklahoma Governor Declares June 2024 the ‘Month for Life’

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