Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced Thursday that all public schools under his jurisdiction must incorporate the Bible and the Ten Commandments into their curriculum.
“The Bible is one of the most historically significant books and a cornerstone of Western civilization, along with the Ten Commandments. They will be referenced as an appropriate study of history, civilization, ethics, comparative religion, or the like, as well as for their substantial influence on our nation’s founders and the fundamental principles of our Constitution,” Walters wrote in a memo to schools that says that the Bible should be part of the curriculum for students in grades five through 12.
“This is not just an educational directive, but a crucial step in ensuring that our students understand the fundamental values and historical context of our country,” the memo adds.
School superintendents were told that more information would be made available about monitoring this directive for the 2024-25 school year and that the Department of Education could help by providing materials on the topic.
Walters’ action was immediately criticized by opponents who see it as just another way to blur the lines between Church and State.
“Public schools are not Sunday schools. Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters has repeatedly made it clear that he is unable to tell the difference and is unfit for the job. Their latest scheme – mandating the use of the Bible in Oklahoma public school curriculum is a transparent and unconstitutional effort to religiously indoctrinate and coerce public school students,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State .
The directive comes a week after Louisiana’s governor signed a law requiring Ten Commandments posters in all public school classrooms, a move that was quickly met with lawsuits from civil liberties organizations, including the Laser.
In Oklahoma on Tuesday, the state Supreme Court struck down the nation’s first religious school as unconstitutional, drawing criticism from Walters.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
