Lawmakers question mandate by Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters to use the Bible in curriculum

State-Superintendent-Ryan-Walters Screengrab KOCO 5 - State Superintendent Ryan Walters

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Important Takeaways:

  • Some state lawmakers opposed to the order said they aren’t necessarily opposed to the Bible being used or referenced. Two Democrats, who are former teachers, agree the Bible can provide important historical context.
  • Where the lawmakers take issue is making teachers include the book in every lesson plan.
  • “The districts are going to have to ensure that when they’re teaching our kids, when they talk about American history, when they talk about these moments that are historically factual, that the bible played a role, again not according to us, but according to those individuals in history, it will be covered in Oklahoma classrooms,” Walters said.
  • “Highlighting the Bible is to fetishize one particular religious document to give it such significance in class that we start to lose sight of its meaning,” State Rep. John Waldron said.
  • Despite no districts publicly getting on board with the Bible mandate, Walters wants to see it implemented statewide by the start of the school year.

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