Oklahoma State Superintendent Orders Bible Instruction in Public Schools

On Thursday, Oklahoma's state superintendent, Ryan Walters, issued a directive that requires all public schools to include the teaching of the Bible, incorporating the Ten Commandments. This decision, made by the Republican superintendent, has sparked considerable debate as it blurs the boundary between religious education and public schooling.

Ryan Walters emphasized the Bible's significance as an "indispensable historical and cultural touchstone," stating that it should be integrated into specific, yet unspecified, grade levels.

Controversy and Legal Challenges

Notably, this development follows Louisiana's recent mandate, where public schools were required to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. However, this move faced immediate legal challenges. Similarly, the Oklahoma directive is expected to encounter resistance and potentially trigger another contentious debate regarding the role of religion within public educational institutions.