Oklahoma Parents and Teachers Challenge Bible Mandate in Schools
- A lawsuit was filed in October 2024 against Oklahoma's education official by parents, teachers, and ministers to challenge a school mandate involving the Bible.
- The plaintiffs claim the mandate violates the state constitution by promoting one religion and misusing public funds.
- This legal action underscores ongoing debates about the separation of church and state in the context of public education.
In October 2024, a coalition of Oklahoma parents, teachers, and ministers initiated legal action against the state's education official, challenging a mandate that requires public schools to integrate the Bible into lesson plans for students in grades 5 to 12. The lawsuit, filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court, contends that the mandate infringes upon the Oklahoma Constitution by utilizing public funds to endorse a singular religion, specifically favoring a Protestant version of the Bible. Additionally, the plaintiffs argue that the education officials lack the authority to mandate specific instructional materials. The lawsuit also seeks to halt a $3 million initiative by Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters to purchase Bibles in alignment with this mandate. Various civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, are representing the plaintiffs. A notable concern raised is that the request for Bibles appears to be tailored to specific versions associated with former President Donald Trump, which draws suspicion regarding the transparency of the procurement process. This is the second legal challenge regarding Walters' directive, with another lawsuit pending in Mayes County. Walters has publicly defended his position, claiming that the historical context of the Bible was previously integrated into American education until the 1960s, contributing to a decline in educational standards since. As the legal battle unfolds, the conflict reflects broader societal tensions regarding the role of religion in public education and the interpretation of constitutional rights concerning the separation of church and state.