Walters renews push for Bibles in public school classrooms

Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has renewed his effort to distribute Bibles in public school classrooms, asking for a fresh request for proposals to supply 55,000 copies. The move comes after a previous solicitation was withdrawn amid legal challenges and public criticism.

In November, the Oklahoma Department of Education canceled an initial bid that specified requirements closely matching the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible, endorsed by President Donald Trump. Critics argued that the specifications limited competition and potentially violated the separation of church and state.

Ryan Walters

Despite the controversy, Walters announced the purchase of more than 500 Bibles for Advanced Placement government classrooms, describing it as a step toward providing Bibles for every classroom in the state.

A lawsuit filed in the Oklahoma Supreme Court seeks to halt the Bible mandate and prevent the use of public funds for religious materials, arguing that it violates the state’s constitution.

Walters, a vocal supporter of President Trump, has been known for his efforts to integrate religious elements into public education. He has established the Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism to promote those initiatives, asserting that knowledge of the Bible in its historical context is essential.

The debate continues over the appropriateness and legality of using taxpayer funds to purchase religious texts for public schools. As Jennifer Palmer of Oklahoma Watch reported, Walters included $3 million in this year’s budget request to purchase Bibles for classrooms.

Oklahoma Watch (OklahomaWatch.org) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.