On Wednesday, the Oklahoma state superintendent, Ryan Walters, issued a directive that has caused a stir in public schools across the state. Walters mandated that the Bible be integrated into the curriculum, emphasizing its historical, literary, and cultural significance. The superintendent’s Bible mandate comes with detailed guidelines on how the Bible should be taught from grades 5 through 12, covering subjects like its influence on Western culture and literary techniques.
This move is part of a broader trend among conservative leaders to root American democracy explicitly in Christian values. Walters, a conservative Christian and former history teacher, believes understanding the Bible is essential for grasping American history and culture. However, educators and civil rights advocates argue this mandate infringes on religious freedoms and oversteps public education boundaries.
What the superintendent’s Bible mandate entails
Walters’ guidance mandates every teacher receive a physical copy of the Bible, the United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Ten Commandments. The guidelines specify how teachers should teach the Bible across different subjects and grade levels. For instance:
- Fifth Grade: Teachers should educate students about the historical context in which the Bible was written.
- Middle School: Students should compare biblical stories with myths and legends from other texts.
- High School: Discussions should focus on the ethical and philosophical ideas in the Bible, along with its influence on Western concepts of justice and significant historical documents like the Declaration of Independence and speeches by Martin Luther King Jr.
Additionally, teachers should expect high school students to write essays on the Bible’s role in literature, history, and culture while analyzing art and music inspired by biblical themes.
How schools and officials are reacting
Educators and school district leaders have expressed mixed responses, with many voicing concerns about the legality and practicality of the mandate. Rick Cobb, superintendent of the Midwest City-Del City Public Schools, opposed the requirement, stating it is inappropriate to mandate the presence of the Bible in all classrooms. Stacey Woolley, president of the Tulsa school board, echoed these sentiments, calling the directive disingenuous and financially burdensome. Conversely, Chuck Stetson, CEO of the Bible Literacy Project, praised the guidelines, arguing that understanding the Bible is crucial for comprehending Western literature and history, particularly in works like Shakespeare.
The mandate has also raised significant legal and constitutional questions. Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, described the guidelines as unconstitutional, asserting it amounts to state-sponsored religious indoctrination. Advocates argue that including the Bible should also mandate the inclusion of other religious and secular texts for balance. This controversy mirrors similar debates in other states, such as Louisiana’s recent mandate to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, raising fundamental questions about the separation of church and state and the nature of American democracy. Overall, Superintendent Walters posted on X:
The Bible, along with the Constitution and many other documents, are foundational in education. We will not allow rogue districts and administrators to indoctrinate hatred of America by refusing to teach foundational Oklahoma standards. You cannot rewrite history. The left does not like it, but it will be taught.
How teachers are reacting
“Keep your theocracy out of my democracy. Not all Americans are Christians. I sure hope authorities grant teachers equal time to teach Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.” —M.K. Lagod
“I’m surprised anyone is allowing this. It’s completely unconstitutional. If I taught there, I’d refuse.” —A. Williams
“Oh no! Everything the original settlers, including the founding fathers of the USA, were against …” —L. Backus
“It is illegal, and most schools are ignoring his mandates, as he cannot dictate curriculum or many other things.” —M. White
“Whatever happened to the separation of church and state?” —D.P. Magill
“Teach all religion or none. No one should force religion upon anyone.” —J. DeFrancesco
“As a Christian, a mother, and a teacher, I would not have wanted my children’s teachers teaching about the Bible. I feel very strongly that parents should provide religious education at home and at church, where they can nurture their children’s faith according to their wishes.” —A. Mauk
“I hope people sue because this is 100% a violation of separation of church and state. If I want my children to learn about the Bible’s teachings, that happens AT HOME, not at school.” —R. Wood
“These guidelines are not part of our established framework. I teach 9th-12th grade students according to the state-mandated framework, as I was trained to do. This feels like a rush job, written by people not trained in ELA disciplines, and it doesn’t align with standards-based teaching. If anyone questions my teaching, I can show exactly how my lessons fit state standards. You can’t just hand the Bible to a chemistry teacher and expect them to create lessons around it—there’s no standard for that. The Bible as literature is included in the 9-12 standards, with specific myths and parables that we can use in ELA.” —L. C.
The path forward
Walters has made it clear he will not tolerate non-compliance, threatening to revoke accreditations of non-adhering districts and teachers. This hard-line stance indicates the debate over religious teachings in public schools is far from over, courts may decide. As the new school year approaches, Oklahoma educators are grappling with how to implement the superintendent’s Bible mandate while navigating legal uncertainties and ethical considerations. This controversy underscores the balance needed to uphold educational integrity and constitutional rights, setting the stage for a legal battle.