Bible Plan Gains Momentum With Singer’s Backing
Singer Lee Greenwood has partnered with Oklahoma’s public schools superintendent in a campaign to raise funds to place the “God Bless the USA Bible” in classrooms across the state. The initiative, aimed at promoting the Bible’s historical and cultural relevance, is facing challenges from the courts and lawmakers. Greenwood, known for his patriotic song “God Bless the U.S.A.,” has joined forces with the Oklahoma Department of Education to launch a nationwide effort to donate Bibles to schools, despite legal and legislative pushback.
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters emphasized the importance of the Bible in understanding the foundations of Western civilization and American history. He argued that opposition to the Bible’s presence in classrooms undermines the country’s core values. However, the initiative faces significant hurdles, with the Oklahoma Supreme Court blocking a measure that would have purchased 55,000 Bibles for public schools. Additionally, the state legislature has stripped funding from the effort.
The campaign’s website highlights its goal of distributing Greenwood-endorsed “God Bless the USA Bibles” to as many schools as possible. The Bibles include the King James Version of the Bible along with America’s founding documents, such as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, which the organizers see as a valuable educational resource. Individual Bibles are available for purchase at $59.99, with the option for donors to contribute toward providing them to schools.
The initiative has drawn attention, particularly following former President Donald Trump’s endorsement during a campaign event last year. Trump has expressed concern over the declining influence of religion in America, stating that the lack of Christian values has led to societal issues. Reactions to the campaign have been mixed, with some Christian leaders supporting the idea of increasing Bible literacy, while others criticize the blending of religious texts with national documents as an inappropriate fusion of religion and patriotism.
Superintendent Walters defended the effort, arguing that the Bible’s role in American history makes it an essential part of the curriculum. He rejected claims that the initiative is unconstitutional and stressed that it is part of the broader goal to ensure students have access to materials that offer religious and historical insights. However, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has maintained that Walters does not have the legal authority to mandate Bible placements in public school classrooms.