Oklahoma’s top education officer is working to bring Bibles into classrooms across the state. State Superintendent Ryan Walters has partnered with country musician Lee Greenwood to distribute leather-bound “God Bless the USA” Bibles to students. Each Bible costs $59.99. Since a state legislative committee denied a request for $3 million in funding, Walters is now asking the public for donations to make the project happen.
State legislature rejects funding request
Walters originally requested state funding to support the Bible initiative, but lawmakers refused to approve it. Without government funding, he has turned to private donations to move the project forward. Walters believes the Bible plays an essential role in education and should be a part of school curricula. He argues that students need the Bible to understand Western civilization, American history, and national values. He also sees keeping the Bible out of schools as a threat to the country’s core beliefs.
Bible requirement for schools faces resistance and legal challenges
Walters has mandated that public schools teach from the Bible in grades 5 through 12. However, many schools are choosing to ignore this order. Parents and teachers have also pushed back by filing a lawsuit against the directive. The controversy surrounding this initiative is part of a larger national debate over religion in education. Some conservative states are pushing to include religious teachings in schools, while at the same time limiting lessons on race, gender, and sexual orientation.
Other conservative states also pushing for religious influence in public schools
Oklahoma is not alone in promoting religious material in public schools. Louisiana recently passed a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms. Similar measures are being considered in other states as part of a broader effort by conservative leaders to shape public education. At the same time, these states are facing criticism for removing content related to diversity and inclusion from school curricula. Walters’ Bible plan is just one example of this growing trend.
Oklahoma’s attempt to create a religious charter school faces legal hurdles
In addition to pushing for Bibles in schools, Oklahoma has attempted to establish the first publicly funded religious charter school in the nation. This effort has been met with strong legal opposition. The case is now awaiting a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, which will determine whether taxpayer dollars can be used to support religious education in this way. If approved, it could set a major precedent for similar programs in other states.
Walters was elected as State Superintendent in 2022 and ran on a platform of eliminating what he called “woke ideology” in schools. He has focused on banning certain books from school libraries and opposing what he describes as leftist influences in education. However, his approach has drawn criticism, even from members of his own party. A legislative committee recently rejected his request for state funding for the Bible initiative, signaling growing discontent with his policies.
Oklahoma Governor suggests students already have access to free Bible Apps
Governor Kevin Stitt has not fully backed Walters’ initiative. While he has not opposed Bibles in schools, he downplayed the necessity of using taxpayer money or private donations to provide them. When asked about the plan, Stitt pointed out that many students already have access to free Bible apps on their phones. This response suggests that even within the state’s leadership, there are differing opinions on how to approach religious education in public schools.
