Key Takeaways:
– A group of parents, students, teachers, and faith leaders filed a petition to the Oklahoma Supreme Court over the state superintendent’s mandate to teach the Bible in public schools
– They argue that the mandate violates Constitutional protections of religious freedom
– The coalition feels that the Department of Education doesn’t have the authority to spend state funds on Bibles or dictate schools’ curriculum
– Named as defendants include Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, the Board of Education, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, and several of their employees
Petition Against Bible Mandate
In a recent turn of events in Oklahoma, the state superintendent’s directive to teach the Bible in public schools has stirred a hornet’s nest of controversy. Parents, students, teachers, and faith leaders have joined hands in opposition. This coalition isn’t sitting idly by. They have approached the state’s Supreme Court, asking for the Bible teaching mandate to be nixed.
Constitutional Rights and School Curriculum at Stake
The coalition premises its opposition on the argument that the Bible teaching obligation violates the constitutional assurance of religious freedom. They believe firmly that the Department of Education lacks the authority to dictate curriculum or lay down rules about textbooks in schools. A particular bone of contention is the planned purchase of 55,000 copies of King James Version bibles, costing the state an estimated $3 million.
The Unwanted Bible: More Than Just a Book
Interestingly, the tale has another unusual twist. The specific type of Bible at the center of the row is the “God Bless the U.S.A.” Bible, endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Criticized is not just the intended purchase of these Bibles, but also the chosen version, which seems to favor a particular branding.
Injunction Sought Against Mandate
The coalition is appealing to the court to issue an injunction that prevents the state from further implementation of the Bible mandate. This includes buying the Bibles and for the mandate and request for proposals to be withdrawn.
Support for the Coalition
Representing the coalition in court are the American Civil Liberties Union, the Freedom From Religion Coalition, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, and the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. These organizations share the belief that the Bible teaching mandate has overstepped its bounds and dipped into a place no public institution has a right to be: personal religious beliefs and practices.
Who’s Involved
Against the Bible teaching mandate are three faith leaders, 14 parents of public school students, and four public school teachers. These individuals encompass a range of religious beliefs, including Christians, atheists, agnostics, and nonreligious.
Parents’ Perspective
Parents, in particular, raise concerns about the mandate. One parent, Erika Wright, said, “We have sole responsibility to decide how and when our children learn about the Bible and religious teachings.” She added that different Christian denominations have unique theological beliefs and practices and that it’s not the role of politicians or public school officials to step into personal matters.
The Defendants
Those named in the lawsuit are Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, the Board of Education, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, and several of its employees. Walters had earlier issued two memos mandating the inclusion of the Bible and Ten Commandments in schools’ curriculum and placing physical copies in every classroom.
The Budget and Bible Buying
This past September, the Board of Education approved a $3 million item in the fiscal year 2026 agency budget to buy Bibles. Additional money was already set aside from the current year’s budget for the same purpose. The Department of Education spokesperson revealed that this fund came from personnel and administrative cost savings. This hefty spending on Bibles in a time of limited education budgets has only added fuel to the controversy around teaching the Bible in public schools. As the case unfolds, many watch with bated breaths, waiting to see if religious education will find a place in public school curriculum or if personal faith stays within the protective confines of the home.