Oklahoma Superintendent Issues Guidance for Teaching Bible in Public Schools

In a bold move that has sparked controversy, Oklahoma State Superintendent, Ryan Walters, has issued guidance for public school teachers on how to incorporate the Bible into their classrooms. The mandate, which requires the teaching of the Bible in all K-12 schools, has faced pushback from critics who argue that it infringes on students' religious freedom.

Under the new guidance, every teacher must be provided with a physical copy of the Bible, along with the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Ten Commandments. The document outlines how instructors should approach teaching the Bible, including its historical context, literary significance, and its influence on the arts and music.

This directive comes approximately a month after Superintendent Walters first announced that all state K-12 schools would be required to teach the Bible. The move has been seen as an attempt to emphasize Christian values in American democracy. However, it has been met with resistance from school district officials and others who argue that it violates religious freedoms.

In response to the opposition, Superintendent Walters took to social media to announce that he would crack down on any resistance from "rogue districts and administrators" who refuse to comply with the teaching mandate. He emphasized that the teaching of foundational Oklahoma standards is crucial and that attempts to rewrite history will not be tolerated.

The guidance instructs teachers on how to integrate the Bible into their classes. For example, instructors are encouraged to discuss how the Bible shaped Western concepts of justice and influenced important historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence. They are also instructed to explore biblical references to illustrate literary techniques like allegory and metaphor.

The memo includes instructions for different grade levels, recommending that fifth graders be introduced to the historical context of the Bible, while middle school students should compare biblical stories with myths and legends from other texts. High school teachers are encouraged to lead discussions on the ethical and philosophical ideas presented in the Bible.

To assuage concerns about violating religious freedom, the guidance emphasizes that the Bible should be used for its historical, literary, and secular value, and not for religious purposes such as preaching or indoctrination. However, it remains unclear how the Bible will be incorporated into subjects such as science or math, as well as in classes for students below fifth grade.

Some school district leaders, such as Stacey Woolley, the president of the Tulsa school board, have voiced their opposition to the directive. Woolley called the emphasis on teaching the Bible as a historical text disingenuous, and expressed concerns about the financial burden of purchasing the required materials for thousands of classrooms.

The debate over religious teachings in public schools has gained attention nationally. Oklahoma's Bible directive follows Louisiana's recent requirement for public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, which has been challenged in court as unconstitutional. Oklahoma's mandate may also face legal challenges, with Woolley believing that it will eventually be brought before the U.S. Supreme Court.

As the new school year approaches, the guidance aims to address concerns about potential violations of religious freedom. However, the controversy surrounding the Bible mandate in Oklahoma is likely to continue as different stakeholders grapple with the intersection of education and religious beliefs.