Oklahoma Department of Education Superintendent Ryan Walters announced plans to open an Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism.
The superintendent also announced the formation of a Trump Education Advisory Committee, saying Oklahoma schools would align themselves with President-elect Donald J. Trump’s education policies.
Following the November 5 election, the superintendent applauded the incoming administration’s proposal to eliminate the federal Department of Education, saying:
According to a press release, the Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism “will serve to promote religious liberty and patriotism in Oklahoma and protect parents, teachers, and students’ abilities to practice their religion freely in all aspects.”
The new office will support “teachers and students when their constitutional rights are threatened by well-funded, out-of-state groups.”
Embed tweet https://x.com/RyanWaltersSupt/status/1856459198705385525
Walters explained the necessity for the new Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism:
He added:
As an example, the superintendent pointed to a 2023 incident where Skiatook High School received a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation about Bible verses posted in classrooms. FFRF wrote to Skiatook Public Schools Superintendent Missy Bush, stating:
Bush had the Bible verses removed from the classrooms.
When the incident occurred, Superintendent Walters stated:
He said the Education Advisory Committee would work to implement new federal polices that would allow “communities – not Washington bureaucrats – to decide what is best for their children.” The new committee will:
Champion parents’ rights.
End social indoctrination in classrooms.
Protect patriotism in school curriculums.
Stop illegal immigrations’ impact on schools.
Block foreign influence in school.
As reported in the Daily Citizen, Waters announced a plan in September to spend $3 million to place a Bible in every classroom, saying the Bible is “a necessary historical document to teach our kids about the history of this country, to have a complete understanding of Western Civilization” and “one of the most foundational documents used for the Constitution and the birth of our country.”
It’s also important for students to know and understand the Bible for teaching English literature, as it’s the book most quoted, referenced and alluded to by authors throughout history, followed by Shakespeare’s plays and Greek and Roman myths and literature. The latter two are part of many English curriculums, so why not include the Bible as well?
Anti-religious liberty groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, are suing to block that program, despite the role of the Bible throughout American and Western history.
Related articles and resources:
Equipping Parents for Back-to-School
‘Equipping Parents For Back-To-School’ – Updated Resource Empowers Parents
Is it ‘Book Banning’ to Keep Sexually Explicit Books out of Schools?
Louisiana’s Ten Commandments Bill is Good for Kids, Communities, and the Nation
Oklahoma Superintendent Announces Plan to Place Bibles in Every School Classroom
Oklahoma Superintendent Directs All School Districts Teach the Bible
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