Is he in the right?
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is staunchly defending his directive to incorporate the Bible into public school classrooms. Recently, Walters gained nationwide attention by announcing revisions to public school social studies standards, emphasizing the Bible’s role in the curriculum.
In an interview with The Christian Post, Walters explained the rationale behind his directive, stressing the importance of a comprehensive understanding of American history. “It’s crucial that our students grasp the full scope of American history,” Walters stated. “This undeniably includes the Bible, which is the most read and purchased book in American history and the most cited book in the 17th and 18th centuries.”
Walters criticized left-wing extremists and teachers’ unions for attempting to exclude the Bible from its historical context in schools. He expressed pride in Oklahoma being the first state to reintroduce the Bible into classrooms, ensuring students understand its significant impact on American history.
Although the Bible has been part of the public school history curriculum, Walters noted that secular progressive groups’ complaints have led to its near removal from classrooms nationwide, including in Oklahoma. He emphasized that the Bible was not being prominently used in its historical capacity, prompting the new directive. Walters asserted that this mandate is not optional; teachers must incorporate the Bible and its historical context appropriately.
To prepare for the upcoming school year, Oklahoma public schools will receive additional guidance. Walters mentioned ongoing efforts to revise current standards for the following school year to include a more direct application of the Bible in history classes. David Barton from the conservative Christian group Wallbuilders, known for his controversial views on American history, is part of the committee overseeing these revisions.
Walters’ directive has faced criticism from various groups, including Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Rachel Laser, president and CEO of the organization, labeled the directive an “unconstitutional effort to indoctrinate and religiously coerce public school students.” She emphasized that public schools should not function as Sunday schools and argued that Walters’ actions undermine the separation of church and state, a fundamental principle protecting religious freedom.
Laser acknowledged that while public schools can teach about religion and religious texts like the Bible, they must not promote it as truth or indoctrinate students. She highlighted that studies show public schools often fail to meet constitutional requirements when teaching the Bible, leading to religious coercion and legal challenges.
Laser assured that her organization would monitor the implementation of Walters’ policy and respond as necessary. She advocated for focusing on the Constitution, a secular document that established the separation of religion and government, as a more suitable foundation for public education. She underscored that historical records from the Constitutional Convention rarely referenced the Bible or the Ten Commandments, emphasizing the need for students to learn accurate facts about America’s founding and values.
In response to concerns about the constitutionality of his directive, Walters dismissed the objections as absurd. He argued that excluding the Bible from history curriculum is unacceptable and maintained that understanding the Bible’s role in American history is essential for students.