Oklahoma's Bible Education Initiative: Controversy Over State-Sponsored Bibles

In June, Oklahoma’s state superintendent of education, Ryan Walters, directed public schools to incorporate the Bible into their curriculum, emphasizing its historical significance. The bid for Bibles requires them to be the King James version, include both the Old and New Testaments, and feature American political documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The only Bibles meeting these criteria are the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible and the We The People Bible, both endorsed by Trump or his family. This has led to allegations from various political figures and organizations that the process lacks transparency and fairness, raising concerns about the separation of church and state in education.

Requirements and Criticism

The specific requirements for the Bibles have been questioned by vendors and political opponents alike. Drew Edmondson, a former state attorney general, highlighted that the additional specifications, such as special binding and the inclusion of governmental documents, could exclude most bidders from the process. Critics, including Alicia Andrews, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, have suggested that the initiative serves to align with Trump politically, particularly as Walters has been vocal in his support for the former president.

Legislative and Public Reaction

The initiative has prompted civil rights organizations to file open records requests to investigate the funding behind the $3 million allocated for purchasing the Bibles. Some local education officials have expressed concerns about the appropriateness of mandating the Bible in classrooms, arguing that it undermines local control over educational content. Despite the controversies, Walters maintains that the initiative is aimed at providing historical context for students and countering perceived efforts to remove the Bible from schools.