Oklahoma Education Chief Launches Office for Religious Liberty and Patriotism Amid Controversy
Oklahoma — State Superintendent Ryan Walters has unveiled the establishment of a new agency dedicated to promoting religious liberty and patriotism, known as the Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism, within the State Department of Education. This initiative aims to provide support to teachers and students amid what Walters describes as a significant decline in religious liberties in schools.
This announcement follows Walters’ controversial mandate earlier this year, which requires Oklahoma schools to incorporate the Christian Bible into their curriculum. Claiming that educational institutions have become "ground zero" for religious freedom erosion, Walters emphasized his commitment to making Bibles available in every classroom statewide, stating that over 500 Bibles have already been procured for advanced placement government courses.
However, Walters’ mandate has faced significant pushback. Last month, the ACLU filed a lawsuit representing more than 30 Oklahomans—including parents, students, and faith leaders—seeking to block the implementation of this requirement. Critics argue that mandatory Bible inclusion in public school curricula infringes on the principle of separation of church and state. The lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding education policies in Oklahoma, particularly concerning religious content in public schooling.
As the legal battle unfolds, Walters remains focused on his mission to enhance religious presence in education, asserting that these efforts are vital for restoring what he sees as diminishing freedoms in the public school system. The situation continues to provoke debate among educators, legal experts, and community members regarding the intersection of education, religion, and state mandates.
For ongoing updates on this issue and other educational developments, follow KSNF/KODE.
Source
Photo credit www.yahoo.com
