As the United States presidential election approaches, with religion playing a pivotal role in political discourse, a new legal battle is unfolding in Oklahoma. A coalition of parents, teachers, and ministers has filed a lawsuit with the Oklahoma Supreme Court to prevent the state’s top education official from mandating Bible studies in public schools.
The plaintiffs are challenging State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ directive that requires students in grades 5 through 12 to incorporate Bible lessons into their curriculum. Walters, a Republican and former public school teacher, announced the mandate in June, aiming to have it implemented for the new school year. He emphasized that understanding the Bible’s historical and cultural significance is essential for students, describing it as “an indispensable historical and cultural touchstone.”
The lawsuit, however, argues that Walters’ mandate violates the Oklahoma Constitution by using public funds to support religion. It points out that the state’s $3 million plan to purchase 55,000 copies of the Bible—specifically a Protestant version—favors one religious perspective over others. The lawsuit also claims that Walters and the state Board of Education lack the authority to impose such instructional materials on schools.
“Parents, like my husband and I, have the sole responsibility to decide how and when our children learn about the Bible and religious teachings,” said Erika Wright, a plaintiff and founder of the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition. “It is not the role of any politician or public school official to intervene in these personal matters.”
Wright, along with other plaintiffs, is represented by a group of civil rights organizations, including the Oklahoma chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice.
The lawsuit also raises concerns about the initial request for proposal (RFP) from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, which appeared tailored to match Bibles endorsed by former President Donald Trump, retailing for $59.99 each. After criticism, state purchasing officials requested changes to the RFP, but the lawsuit alleges that the mandate still violates constitutional principles of religious neutrality.
This legal challenge is the second lawsuit seeking to block Walters’ directive, following an earlier suit filed in June by a resident of Locust Grove, Oklahoma. Both lawsuits aim to halt Walters’ mandate, which they argue undermines the separation of church and state.
Walters, however, remains defiant. He has taken to social media to criticize his opponents, stating that he would “never back down to the woke mob.” In a tweet, Walters argued that Bible studies were once a staple of American education until the 1960s, and their removal has, in his view, led to a decline in educational standards. He contends that his mandate is necessary to provide students with a fuller understanding of the nation’s historical foundation.
“The simple fact is that understanding how the Bible has impacted our nation, in its proper historical context, was the norm in America until the 1960s, and its removal has coincided with a precipitous decline in American schools,” he wrote.
The issue arises at a critical juncture, as Donald Trump, the leading Republican candidate for the upcoming presidential election, emphasizes his Christian identity and displays of faith, often seen holding a Bible in public appearances. Trump’s influence looms over the national conversation on religion’s role in public life, and Walters’ mandate has sparked a broader debate about the place of religious instruction in taxpayer-funded schools.
Supporters of Walters’ initiative argue that knowledge of the Bible can provide valuable context for understanding American history and culture. Critics, however, maintain that mandating religious instruction in public schools infringes upon the rights of parents and students of diverse beliefs.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the debate over Bible studies in Oklahoma schools could have wider implications, potentially influencing how religion is addressed in public education across the United States. For now, the decision rests with the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which will determine whether the state’s actions align with constitutional principles.
