Oklahoma’s public schools will soon face a requirement to stock Bibles in classrooms. However, they may no longer be compelled to use a Donald Trump-endorsed version of the text.
New Bible Requirement Announced
In June, Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, announced a plan to mandate Bibles in all public school classrooms. He emphasized the importance of teaching from the Bible and the Ten Commandments to provide students with a historical understanding of these texts.
“Every teacher and classroom in the state will have a Bible,” Walters stated. “We will ensure that students learn about the substantial influence of scripture on our nation’s founders and the foundational principles of our Constitution.”
In a memo outlining his directive, Walters explained that the Bible would be used as a reference in the study of history, civilization, ethics, and comparative religion. He argued that this inclusion is essential for students’ education.
Backlash and Legal Concerns
Walters’ announcement quickly drew criticism. Opponents argued that this directive amounts to forcing religious instruction in schools. While discussing religious texts in a limited context is generally considered legal, legal experts warned that the specifics of Walters’ proposal might push legal boundaries. Andrew C. Spiropoulos, a constitutional law professor, noted that singling out the Bible could present legal challenges.
Controversy Over Bidding Process
The controversy intensified when Walters requested $6 million to purchase 55,000 Bibles for Oklahoma schools. The Oklahoman reported that the state’s request for proposal (RFP) guidelines were so restrictive that very few Bibles currently available would qualify. The guidelines required that the Bible be a King James Version, bound with copies of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Additionally, the Bible had to be bound in leather or a similar material.
One local Christian bookstore informed The Oklahoman that none of the 2,900 Bibles it carried would meet the stringent requirements. Ultimately, only two Bibles were found that fulfilled the specifications, and both were endorsed by Trump, priced at $60 and $90.
Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson criticized the RFP process, stating, “It appears to me that this bid is anything but competitive. The special binding and inclusion of government documents will exclude almost all bidders. If the bid specs exclude most bidders unnecessarily, I could consider that a violation.”
Revised Guidelines
In response to the growing criticism regarding the RFP, the Oklahoma Department of Education released updated guidelines last week. The new rules allow American founding documents to be provided separately from the Bible. While this change could lead to a more affordable Bible option, the requirement itself remains a contentious issue.
Walters defended the initiative, stating, “If we get sued and we get challenged, we will be victorious. The Supreme Court justices appointed by Donald Trump are originalists who interpret the Constitution based on its text, not on the opinions of some left-wing professors.” He also emphasized that the concept of separation of church and state is not explicitly mentioned in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution.
Related topics: