Oklahoma Superintendent in the United States of America, Ryan Walters, has mandated that schools must include the Bible in their curriculum, following a recent state Supreme Court decision against a publicly funded religious charter school.
Announced Thursday, Walters’ directive requires Oklahoma schools to integrate the Bible into the curricula for grades five through 12. Each classroom must also have a copy of the Bible.
The directive emphasizes the Bible and the Ten Commandments for their significant influence on the nation’s founders and the foundational principles of the Constitution.
In a memo to all school districts, Walters insisted on “immediate and strict compliance.”
During a state Board of Education meeting, he stated, “We’ll be teaching from the Bible in the classroom to ensure that this historical understanding is there for every student in the state of Oklahoma.”
The nonprofit civil liberties group Americans United for Separation of Church and State responded, arguing that Walters’ policy infringes on the religious freedom of public school students and their families.
Since taking office in January 2023, Walters has aimed to “put God back in schools,” including actions such as publicly criticizing an Oklahoma principal who was also a drag performer, leading to the principal’s resignation.
Walters has also implemented an emergency rule to prevent students from changing the genders listed on their school records.
The CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Rachel Laser, described the policy as “textbook Christian Nationalism,” accusing Walters of using his office to impose his religious beliefs on others’ children. Laser stated her organization is “ready to step in,” though she did not explicitly promise legal action.
Throughout his tenure, Walters, a former high school history teacher, has become known for his advocacy of incorporating Christian teachings into state education policy.
Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, recently endorsed a set of regulations proposed by Walters, which include time for prayer in schools and recognition of a ‘Creator’ and the existence of good and evil in the state Education Department’s values.
However, Walters has faced criticism. This month, Stitt issued an executive order banning state agencies from entering sole-source contracts with marketing and public relations firms after Walters hired a PR firm at $200 per hour for national media attention.
This week, the state Supreme Court ruled against state funding for a Catholic charter school, declaring it violated state and federal law.
Walters condemned the decision as “sanctioned discrimination against Christians,” stating, “This ruling cannot and must not stand.”
State Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a conservative Republican, celebrated the decision as a significant win for religious liberty, asserting that both the U.S. and Oklahoma Constitutions protect religious freedom by preventing state-sponsored religion.
