Scripture-based curriculum

NewsJeff Brumley  |  March 4, 2025

The families, teachers and religious leaders already suing to block Oklahoma from buying classroom Bibles are now attempting to prevent the state from purchasing a Scripture-based curriculum for elementary school children.

plan to purchase Christian teaching materials for public schools _- proposal to purchase classroom Bibles.

The plaintiffs filed a brief with the Oklahoma Supreme Court March 4 seeking an injunction to stop state Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters’ plan to purchase Christian teaching materials for public schools and also to bar his latest proposal to purchase classroom Bibles.

Rachel Laser

“The separation of church and state guarantees that families and students — not politicians — get to decide if, when and how to engage with religion,” said Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, one of several legal groups representing plaintiffs in Rev. Lori Walke v. Ryan Walters.

Christian nationalist abuse the power of his office

“Superintendent Ryan Walters continues to abuse the power of his office to advance a Christian nationalist agenda and impose his personal religious beliefs on other people’s children,” Laser said.

When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result. GC 445.1

Pope Francis : Evolution and Creation both right

The filing in part targets the state’s Feb. 21 Request for Proposal seeking Bible-infused lesson plans for “character instruction” in elementary classrooms.

“Materials should contain age-appropriate biblical content, provide simple explanations that are easily understandable for elementary age students, and demonstrate how biblical figures and stories have influenced historical events and cultural practices in the United States,” the proposal says.

The request also stipulates the materials must include lessons about “key figures and events that have shaped the history and culture of Oklahoma.”

Walters has repeatedly defended his religious education efforts as attempts to teach

Ryan Walters

“The new standards are among the strongest in the country: pro-America, pro-American exceptionalism, and strengthened civics and constitutional studies across every grade,” the Department of Education announced. “They include Supt. Walters’ Bible curriculum recommendations and mention the Bible and its historical impact over 40 times.”

[4] Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, [5] That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: [6] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3 : 4-6

The plaintiffs in Walker v. Walters also hope to shut down a January RFP for Bibles. The Oklahoman reported the bids seek 55,000 King James Bibles that include the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Pledge of Allegiance and U.S. Constitution.

“We have been very specific. The Bible is there for its historical context.”

Walters has repeatedly defended his religious education efforts as attempts to teach U.S. and Oklahoma history, KFOR-4 in Oklahoma City reported.

“You can be offended by Christianity. You can not agree with Christianity, but that doesn’t give you the right to take Christianity out of American history, and that’s what we’ve seen the left do,” Walters said. “We have been very specific. The Bible is there for its historical context.”

Others disagree, including at least 13 large Oklahoma school districts that have declared the intention to defy Walters’ order to put Bibles in classrooms.

Walke v. Walters was filed Oct. 17 to prevent the implementation of Walters’ June 2024 classroom Bible mandate and his plan to spend more than $3 million on Bibles that initially matched the so-called “Trump Bible.” That requirement was amended after significant public opposition.

Megan Lambert

The litigants’ new brief asks the state Supreme Court to pause the requests for classroom Bibles and religious curriculum until the lawsuit is decided by justices.

“Oklahoma schools should be a safe and welcoming environment, focused on providing an equal education to all students, regardless of faith,” said Megan Lambert, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma.

“Today’s brief is another demonstration of how communities can come together for a common fight to reject the use of religion as a cover for repression. We must continue to protect the individual rights of students and families to choose their own faith or no faith at all.”

Religious instruction should be up to parents, not educators

Annie Laurie Gaylor

Religious instruction should be up to parents, not educators, said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

“Oklahoma families should not have to contend with religious promotion in their children’s public-school classrooms. And Oklahomans should not have to watch their tax dollars be used by their state to promote Ryan Walters’ preferred holy book.”

Colleen McCarty

Colleen McCarty, executive director of Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, cited the economic problems potentially created by Walters’ Bible mandate.

“The costs of these outlandish actions by our state superintendent continue to climb and he shows no signs of slowing. We’re facing a budget shortfall, and Oklahomans simply cannot afford these stunts for much longer. Oklahomans need a leader who will maintain the rule of law and educate our kids.”

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