Oklahoma Schools Resist State Mandate to Incorporate Bibles into Classrooms

[Social Media]

 

In the rapidly expanding suburb of Bixby, Oklahoma, where a state-of-the-art high school and a $12 million football complex upgrade are on the horizon, a new conflict is brewing. Despite the district’s progress in infrastructure, a directive from the state’s education chief mandating that every classroom include a Bible has sparked resistance as students return to school. This resistance is not isolated; other large school districts across Oklahoma have also shown reluctance to comply with the new order, which has placed the state at the forefront of a growing movement to increase religion’s presence in public schools across the United States.

 

The directive, issued over the summer, requires all public schools in Oklahoma to integrate Bible lessons into the curriculum for students in grades five through twelve. However, as students returned to school this week, it became apparent that the Bixby school district, among others, was not adhering to the mandate. Superintendent Rob Miller of Bixby, a former Marine Corps artilleryman with a decorated past in marathon running, has been vocal in his opposition.

 

While acknowledging that it’s common for students to bring Bibles to school or pray during moments of silence, Miller questioned the purpose of placing a Bible in every classroom, particularly in subjects where it seems irrelevant. “If there is no curricular standard that ties with that particular classroom, what would be the purpose of a Bible if not for pure indoctrination?” Miller asked. He added, “As a Christian myself, I am a little offended by diminishing the word of God to a mere classroom prop.”

 

Bixby’s high school library does offer copies of the Bible for checkout, alongside a book titled “The History of the Bible,” which provides maps and historical details about the regions mentioned in scripture. However, Miller emphasized that the presence of a Bible in classrooms like seventh grade math or high school chemistry is unnecessary and inappropriate.

 

Despite the clear resistance, the state’s education department, represented by spokesperson Dan Isett, has made it clear that the mandate is non-negotiable. Isett stated that the state superintendent has “a wide range of tools to deal with rogue districts” that refuse to comply. Yet, the enforcement of this mandate remains uncertain, with many Oklahoma school districts disregarding it. These districts have sought guidance from law firms and the Oklahoma Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, which have advised that the superintendent lacks the authority to impose such a requirement unilaterally. They argue that the directive is unenforceable.

 

The controversy has put state Superintendent Ryan Walters, a first-term Republican who has made waves with his staunch opposition to what he calls “woke ideology,” in the spotlight. At a recent board meeting, Walters criticized the districts that have resisted his directive, accusing them of hypocrisy. He drew a parallel between their refusal to comply with the Bible mandate and their alleged willingness to expose students to “pornography” under the guise of inclusivity, referencing his failed attempt to remove certain books with sexual content from a local school’s library. “It’s outrageous. We will not allow it,” Walters declared. “Just because they don’t like it, just because they’re offended by it, just because they don’t want to do it doesn’t mean that they won’t do it. They will be held accountable.”

 

The debate over the Bible mandate is just the latest chapter in a broader effort by conservative-led states to reshape the role of religion in public schools. Similar initiatives have been seen in states like Louisiana, where schools are required to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms, and Texas, where Republicans are advancing efforts to incorporate the Bible into the curriculum. In Oklahoma, these actions come on the heels of a recent Supreme Court decision blocking an attempt to establish the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school, further fueling the tension between church and state.

 

Walters, a former public school teacher elected in 2022, has made it his mission to ban books from school libraries and remove what he describes as “radical leftists” from classrooms. However, his aggressive approach has caused friction even within his own party. State Rep. Mark McBride, a Republican who chairs the subcommittee responsible for funding public schools, recently called for an investigation into Walters, citing failures to comply with legislative directives on funding and transparency issues regarding the department’s expenditures. McBride’s call for an investigation has garnered the support of more than two dozen GOP House members, leading to a request from House Speaker Charles McCall for an independent inquiry into the education department.

 

Walters, however, dismissed the investigation as a “political attack” from House leaders, insinuating that the real motive behind the inquiry might be related to the upcoming 2026 governor’s election, for which both McCall and Walters are considered potential candidates. The ongoing political drama adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as schools and educators navigate the challenges of balancing educational standards, religious freedoms, and political pressures.

In Bixby, opinions on the Bible mandate are divided. Grant Sullivan, a local business owner and pastor, expressed skepticism about the policy’s effectiveness. Sullivan, who delivers sermons at a small church in nearby Morris, questioned whether the mandate is truly beneficial for students and educators alike.

 

As the school year progresses, the clash between state directives and local autonomy is likely to intensify. The outcome of this standoff will not only shape the educational landscape in Oklahoma but could also influence similar debates in other states, as the role of religion in public schools remains a contentious issue in American society.

 

Credit: The Independent  2024-08-26

 

 

 

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[Dionigi]

I think bible lessons are a good idea, they should be conducted by an atheist who will point out all the good bits of the bible. As Richard Dawkins said “The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”

It is all written down for all to see in the good book.

I especially like the story of Lot, gods favourite for saving, gave his wife and daughters up for gang rape by a mob, wife was turned to a pillar of salt for disobeying god and turning around for a look. Lots daughter then get him drunk and have sex with him, great stuff you couldn't make it up oh yes it is made up.

[Purdey]

Satan killed only 10 people in the whole bible. God killed millions (with the flood, plagues etc ).

Satan tortures only bad people in hell. God gives babies brain cancer.

Hmm...

[candide]

11 minutes ago, Dionigi said:

I think bible lessons are a good idea, they should be conducted by an atheist who will point out all the good bits of the bible. As Richard Dawkins said “The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”

It is all written down for all to see in the good book.

I especially like the story of Lot, gods favourite for saving, gave his wife and daughters up for gang rape by a mob, wife was turned to a pillar of salt for disobeying god and turning around for a look. Lots daughter then get him drunk and have sex with him, great stuff you couldn't make it up oh yes it is made up.

Actually, there are two gods who have been merged in the old testament.

Edited August 26 by candide

[rudi49jr]

Gee, and here I thought it was the radical left who are poisoning the minds of school children with their woke agenda. 

Edited August 26 by rudi49jr

[Chomper Higgot]

Merge this with the Taliban thread, the trajectory is the same.

[parallelman]

Are there no RC schools in the district if parents want their children to taught such? And of course, there are probably the other 'schools' too...I think they are called a Church.

[wwest5829]

I count my “lucky stars” for my retiring to Thailand from the USA in 2011 after being an educator for 41 years. While I taught middle and high school for 16 years, my last 27 years I taught the undergraduate survey history courses in American History and Western Civilization. While my Lifetime Teaching Certification was not in Oklahoma, I can envision my being fired (and then the ensuing court cases I would have filed with the help of the ACLU). These Christian based attempts to break through the founding principle of Separation of Church and State would be intolerable to me as an American with DNA going back to before the country was founded and knowing, very well, the history leading up to the founding of the USA. I can only assure today’s American educators that my vote will oppose these attempts to hijack American public education in the name of religious beliefs … Project 2025 call to do away with the US Department of Education be damned! Absolutely, if Trump and his ilk would be elected I will have lost my country for I certainly could not support nor defend such a government.

[mdr224]

5 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

I count my “lucky stars” for my retiring to Thailand from the USA in 2011 after being an educator for 41 years. While I taught middle and high school for 16 years, my last 27 years I taught the undergraduate survey history courses in American History and Western Civilization. While my Lifetime Teaching Certification was not in Oklahoma, I can envision my being fired (and then the ensuing court cases I would have filed with the help of the ACLU). These Christian based attempts to break through the founding principle of Separation of Church and State would be intolerable to me as an American with DNA going back to before the country was founded and knowing, very well, the history leading up to the founding of the USA. I can only assure today’s American educators that my vote will oppose these attempts to hijack American public education in the name of religious beliefs … Project 2025 call to do away with the US Department of Education be damned! Absolutely, if Trump and his ilk would be elected I will have lost my country for I certainly could not support nor defend such a government.

Project 2025 is just a leftwing media hoax

[Yagoda]

There is a correlation between virulent atheism and paganism to antisemitism. Im an agnostic myself but always enjoyed reading the Bible, except for Numbers, too boring.

 

Love the Babylonian Harlot with the filthy cup of her fornications. Like an ancient 666 Bukkake movie.

[parallelman]

39 minutes ago, mdr224 said:

Project 2025 is just a leftwing media hoax

My understanding is that Project 2025 is a product of The Heritage Foundation, which I have heard say is a kind of Conservative 'think tank' and has its origins in 1980's. It is not specifically for, or by, Donald Trump but, as I understand it, a list of procedures to develop policies that a Conservative President should follow. News outlets on the issue say Donald Trump was not one of the authors nor owns any of the content. Donald Trump, apparently, likes some of the proposals in the manuscrpt but dislikes others.

However, because it is Donald Trump campaigning for a second term in office then such a document is bound to cause 'waves'.

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, parallelman said:

My understanding is that Project 2025 is a product of The Heritage Foundation, which I have heard say is a kind of Conservative 'think tank' and has its origins in 1980's. It is not specifically for, or by, Donald Trump but, as I understand it, a list of procedures to develop policies that a Conservative President should follow. News outlets on the issue say Donald Trump was not one of the authors nor owns any of the content. Donald Trump, apparently, likes some of the proposals in the manuscrpt but dislikes others.

However, because it is Donald Trump campaigning for a second term in office then such a document is bound to cause 'waves'.

It was written by numerous former members of his administration, close associates of his.

 

 

[Yagoda]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It was written by numerous former members of his administration, close associates of his.

 

 

Nobody who criticizes it in the usual Leninist hysterical manner have ever read it.

Edited August 26 by Yagoda

[BusyB]

4 hours ago, parallelman said:

My understanding is that Project 2025 is a product of The Heritage Foundation, which I have heard say is a kind of Conservative 'think tank' and has its origins in 1980's. It is not specifically for, or by, Donald Trump but, as I understand it, a list of procedures to develop policies that a Conservative President should follow. News outlets on the issue say Donald Trump was not one of the authors nor owns any of the content. Donald Trump, apparently, likes some of the proposals in the manuscrpt but dislikes others.

However, because it is Donald Trump campaigning for a second term in office then such a document is bound to cause 'waves'.

 

His VP pick wrote the goddam foreword for that constitutional blasphemy and Trump himself is a close associate of the perps.

 

You have all been clearly and loudly warned.

[Chomper Higgot]

8 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Nobody who criticizes it in the usual Leninist hysterical manner have ever read it.

So longer denying Trump is neck deep I it.

[Yagoda]

18 hours ago, BusyB said:

 

His VP pick wrote the goddam foreword for that constitutional blasphemy and Trump himself is a close associate of the perps.

 

You have all been clearly and loudly warned.

You have never read it.

[Yagoda]

10 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So longer denying Trump is neck deep I it.

I really dont care. Lots of good stuff in there though, like in many other position papers written over the years.

 

Sure beats Das Kapital, like Kamala's Daddy worships.

 

You havent read it either.

Edited August 27 by Yagoda

[Tug]

Personally I’m glad they are standing up to and rejecting this obiously unconstitutional mandate if ya want to study the Bible go to church!the Bible doesn’t belong in public schools or government in my humble opinion.teach the facts nothing more and mind your own buisness on matters of religion that’s a personal choice and doesn’t belong in government or the schools.

[Chomper Higgot]

57 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

I really dont care. Lots of good stuff in there though, like in many other position papers written over the years.

 

Sure beats Das Kapital, like Kamala's Daddy worships.

 

You havent read it either.

Kamala’s daddy isn’t standing for election.

[Yagoda]

31 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Kamala’s daddy isn’t standing for election.

Except when Daddys ideology is hers. But you arent a Yank so your opinion matters not.

[proton]

39 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Kamala’s daddy isn’t standing for election.

 

No, but his thick communist daughter is

[Chomper Higgot]

31 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Except when Daddys ideology is hers. But you arent a Yank so your opinion matters not.

Two short sentences and both baseless claims.

You very obviously reckon use the threat Harris is to your hopes of a second Trump Presidency.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

25 minutes ago, proton said:

 

No, but his thick communist daughter is

She’s got your ‘chosen one’ coming up with excuses to avoid debating her.

 

Cluck cluck.

[proton]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

She’s got your ‘chosen one’ coming up with excuses to avoid debating her.

 

Cluck cluck.

 

He has not, she wanted to change the conditions, he does not need to make a fool of her, but I hope he will.

[Chomper Higgot]

11 minutes ago, proton said:

 

He has not, she wanted to change the conditions, he does not need to make a fool of her, but I hope he will.

You can always hope.

 

 

[Yellowtail]

So, the left wants to ban books in schools? 

[Cameroni]

Strict separation between state and religion is a must. This mandate to put a bible in every class is frankly reprehensible.

 

Storm in a teacup because teachers can just ignore it. Put a cloth on it or something.

 

But separation of state and religion is of paramount importance. This cannot stand.

[Yellowtail]

1 minute ago, Cameroni said:

Strict separation between state and religion is a must. This mandate to put a bible in every class is frankly reprehensible.

 

Storm in a teacup because teachers can just ignore it. Put a cloth on it or something.

 

But separation of state and religion is of paramount importance. This cannot stand.

Yes, teachers should ignore any rules they don't like and teach the students to do the same.

[Cameroni]

Just now, Yellowtail said:

Yes, teachers should ignore any rules they don't like and teach the students to do the same.

 

They should not, but they can and will if the rule is stupid. So best not to have stupid rules.

 

 

[proton]

23 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You can always hope.

 

 

 

Hope not hate