Oklahoma’s State Superintendent Requires Public Schools to Teach the Bible

The state superintendent of Oklahoma has issued a directive for all public schools to incorporate the teaching of the Bible, including the Ten Commandments. This move has sparked a debate about the boundary between religious instruction and public education.

Ryan Walters, a Republican, emphasized the importance of the Bible as a historical and cultural cornerstone that should be included in the curriculum at certain grade levels.

This decision comes shortly after Louisiana mandated the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms, a move that was met with legal challenges.

The directive in Oklahoma is likely to face similar challenges and ignite a debate about the role of religion in public schools.

The push to introduce religious texts into classrooms reflects a national trend among conservatives, particularly Catholics and evangelicals, who aim to ground America’s democracy in Christian values.

Supporters of this movement see the teaching of the Bible as a crucial step in shaping the next generation and preserving Christian values in American society.

In his announcement, Mr. Walters emphasized the Bible’s significance in understanding the country’s history, Western civilization, and the foundation of the legal system.

While the Bible has been taught in some states as part of specific classes, the broad requirement in Oklahoma sets a unique precedent.

The details of the biblical instruction in schools were not immediately clear in the memo sent to district leaders by Mr. Walters.

He suggested that the Bible and the Ten Commandments could be studied in the context of history, civilization, ethics, or comparative religion, highlighting their influence on the nation’s founders and constitutional principles.

Some officials, like Stacey Woolley of Tulsa Public Schools, expressed concerns about teaching only excerpts from the Bible without including other religious texts.

The legality of Mr. Walters’ directive under Oklahoma law is uncertain, with constitutional law experts questioning its breadth.

While courts have allowed the teaching of the Bible alongside other religious texts in public schools, the standalone requirement in Oklahoma may face legal challenges.

Critics, such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State, have raised concerns about the constitutional implications of the Bible directive in public schools.

They argue that while schools can teach about religion, promoting a specific religious belief crosses the line.

Similar debates are ongoing in Louisiana, where the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools has also faced legal challenges.

Groups like the National Association of Christian Lawmakers have advocated for legislation aligning with Christian values, including measures related to religious instruction in schools.

Public opinion on religious instruction in schools remains divided, with a significant portion of the population expressing varying perspectives on the issue.