Oklahoma's top education official ordered public schools to incorporate the Bible into lessons for grades five through 12 this week.
State school superintendent Ryan Walters says his mandate is compulsory and “immediate and strict compliance is expected.”
He points out that since the Bible's influence on America and Western civilization has been foundational, students need to be educated about its role in U.S. and world history.
"The Bible is an indispensable historical and cultural touchstone," Walters said. "Without basic knowledge of it, Oklahoma students are unable to properly contextualize the foundation of our nation which is why Oklahoma educational standards provide for its instruction."
Walters has previously noted that America is in a culture war and he doesn't want “woke ideology” spread by the state's public schools.
Left-wing groups have predictably threatened legal action calling the state school superintendent's move a violation of the U.S. Constitution. “Public schools are not Sunday schools,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Oklahoma law explicitly allows Bibles in the classroom and lets teachers use them in instruction.
But earlier this week the Oklahoma Supreme Court blocked the state's attempt to launch the first publicly funded religious charter school in the U.S.
***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***
Did you know?
God is everywhere—even in the news. That’s why we view every news story through the lens of faith. We are committed to delivering quality independent Christian journalism you can trust. But it takes a lot of hard work, time, and money to do what we do. Help us continue to be a voice for truth in the media by supporting CBN News for as little as $1.
Support CBN News
