The First Amendment of the United States Constitution allows citizens to practice their religion without persecution. It also prevents the government or government establishments from endorsing or entangling itself with religion through what is known as the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. However, a new letter written by the Oklahoma state superintendent threatens America’s founding principle of the Separation of Church and State. According to the letter, all public schools in Oklahoma now must teach the Bible to students in grades 5-12, and all classrooms must have a copy. Various groups are already criticizing the move, some even calling it unconstitutional, but there’s more to the issue than unconstitutionality.
The State Superintendent of Oklahoma — Mr. Ryan Walters — is a former history teacher and conservative Christian. In a move that echoes Louisiana’s recent mandate that the teachers display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, Mr. Walters wrote a letter to school district leaders requiring the use of the Bible ‘as an instructional support into the curriculum’ in grades 5-12. He cited its necessity as a historical document — explaining that the Bible is essential for providing students with an understanding of Western civilization, American history, and ethics while arguing that founding documents of America, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, are products of parts of religious doctrine. However, Mr. Walters has not clarified what instruction using the Bible entails. Moreover, state law may not give Mr. Walters the authority to make and enforce such a mandate.
Regardless of whether Mr. Walters can enforce his mandate, some organizations have criticized this decision. According to Stacy Woolley, the school board’s president for Tulsa Public Schools, it would be “‘inappropriate’ to teach students of various faiths and backgrounds excerpts from the Bible alone.” Similar to how the Louisiana mandate was challenged quickly by families seeking to assert their children’s religious freedoms in school, Mr. Walters’ mandate may also be challenged in court should it take effect throughout Oklahoma. From the Americans United for Separation of Church and States, a group is already helping parents challenge the Louisiana mandate. A spokesperson from the organization voiced their claim that ‘Public school isn’t Sunday school,’ arguing that religion has no place in public school systems and should not force the Bible on children of various religious backgrounds.
If it gets passed, this mandate will set a domino effect throughout the country, as conservatives in power in other states will seek to implement similar mandates. It’s part of a movement of Christian Nationalism within the United States, primarily led by Christians who believe that American ideals are rooted in Christianity and that the United States should be a Christian nation. Besides Mr. Walters’ mandate, the Louisiana mandate and the overturning of Roe v. Wade are primary results of this movement, with it gaining traction in education as conservatives seek to shape future generations in their favor.
Ultimately, the Oklahoman superintendent’s mandate reflects the changing political climate and has drawn significant criticism. Whether it will come to be enforced is hard to say. However, it is still necessary to acknowledge the context and growing movements within the United States that this mandate is a part of and to add it to the broader discussion of the future of religion in our country.
Works Cited
Elassar, A. (2024) Oklahoma State Superintendent announces all schools must incorporate the Bible and the Ten Commandments in curriculums, CNN. Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/27/us/oklahoma-schools-bible-curriculum/index.html (Accessed: 12 July 2024).
Evans, M. (2024) Ryan Walters: Bible must be taught in schools, strict compliance expected, The Oklahoman. Available at: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/education/2024/06/27/oklahoma-superintendent-ryan-walters-calls-for-schools-to-teach-bible/74233983007/ (Accessed: 12 July 2024).
Mervosh, S. and Dias, E. (2024) Oklahoma’s state superintendent requires public schools to teach the Bible, The New York Times. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/27/us/oklahoma-public-schools-bible.html?searchResultPosition=1 (Accessed: 12 July 2024).