DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus Oklahoma schools ordered to use Bible in history teaching

The Christian Nationalism thread is on page 13 and will be closed soon. And there is nothing else you can call this but religious indoctrination in the public school system. It was obvious to anyone paying attention to how these people wortk that once this can of worms was opened that state after state would keep pushing this envelope. And here it is on full display. Forcing your children to be taught from the Christian Bible. No matter your religion, no matter your beliefs or if you don't believe, this is what the schools in Oklahoma will be forcing your children be taught.....

Oklahoma schools ordered to use Bible in history teaching

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s top education official on Thursday ordered all public schools in the state to incorporate the Bible into their curriculum as a historical text.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters said he wants the Bible kept and taught in every Oklahoma classroom, particularly how it is referenced in America’s history and founding documents.

“We’re going to be looking at the Mayflower Compact (and) other of those foundational documents to point to and say, listen, here’s conceptually what the founders believed,” Walters said while speaking with news reporters on Thursday.

State academic standards for social studies already require schools to teach students about the impact of religion on U.S. society and government.

The academic standards are a lengthy list of topics Oklahoma public schools must teach. Local school districts are allowed the freedom to decide their own curriculum, or how they teach the standards.

Walters’ announcement drew quick opposition from Democratic lawmakers and groups advocating for separation of church and state.

The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the order would further marginalize religious minorities in public schools and violate religious freedom. The Muslim civil rights organization has advocated against adding specific religious teachings to the classroom.

“Although we and the American Muslim community recognize the important historical and religious significance of the Bible, forcing teachers to use it and only it in their curriculum is inappropriate and unconstitutional,” said Adam Soltani, director of the Oklahoma chapter. “We adamantly oppose any requirements that religion be forcefully taught or required as a part of lesson plans in public schools, in Oklahoma, or anywhere else in the country.”

State Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, said the matter could end up in court, costing the state taxpayer dollars. Meanwhile, she said it fails to “provide solutions to the real problems facing our schools,” like the teacher shortage and falling below the regional average in public education funding.



Oklahoma already has been grappling with the role of religion in public schools. The state Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down a publicly funded Catholic charter school that was weeks away from opening in the state. The Court found the concept of a religious, state-funded school is unconstitutional and a violation of state law.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond led the legal challenge against opening the Catholic charter school, called St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. But when reached for comment Thursday, his office did not raise alarm bells over Walters’ order on Bible teaching.

“Oklahoma law already explicitly allows Bibles in the classroom and enables teachers to use them in instruction,” the AG’s spokesperson, Phil Bacharach, said.

Walters has been a vocal supporter of St. Isidore. He called the Court’s ruling on the Catholic charter school “one of the worst” of its decisions and said the concept of separation of church and state is “a myth.”

Oklahoma Catholic leaders indicated they intend to appeal the ruling. A meeting agenda for the school’s Board of Directors states St. Isidore will “delay opening to students at least until the 2025-2026 school year, as it seeks review by the United States Supreme Court.”

https://dailymontanan.com/2024/06/28/oklahoma-schools-ordered-to-use-bible-in-history-teaching/

I'm ok with teaching kids lessons in morality. Its better than forcing draq queens, queer politics and sex changes on them.

Me too. They can learn moral lessons without having the Christian Bible jammed down their throats.
Freedom of religion is also freedom from religion in this country.

Oklahoma seems ok with it. Its their choice. Also, they want to explain how religion played a part in our country's history. Which it did. Typical libtard behavior is to erase or change any history you dont like. Well, Oklahoma's going to teach actual history. Not the libtard edited version.

Get this : When I saw it on the news, I said I think it's good. But I also disagree with it. (I was talking to my wife) I disagree with it because if it were a different religion that was getting taught, I'd be against it.

While I don't see a problem with it, I seed a huge problem with it. If that makes sense.

I wouldnt have a problem with it. The study of (all) religions is pretty interesting. I'd like to know what part of the Quran sent the terrorists over the edge resulting in 911. America is a melting pot of cultures and many cultures have religions associated with them. They could teach that a lot of ways. It would be interesting to have a theology class that intersects American History.

It does make sense.

I come from the POV espoused in my 10th grade Civics class. We spent weeks studying the Bill of Rights. The 1st amendment was clear:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."


That means the government is in no position to keep a person from exercising the religion of his/her choice, or for that same government to adopt a particular faith as the word for the nation.

Now the governors of these states have done an end-run by issuing executive orders establishing state-sponsored promotion of one specific religion over any and all others. Something tells me that these EO's will stand for about as long as it takes the ink on the lawsuits to dry.

In the US, the government should not be in bed with any religion at all. That should be left to the churches.

No Christianity
No Judaism
No Hinduism
No Islam
No Sikh
No Buddhism

No nothing.

I agree. Some people have twisted minds.

But, if the student has a problem, let them opt for study hall that day.

They might miss some test questions, but that's their problem.

I doubt the lesson would last the year. If like any HS history class I attended , you spent a week or so on one phase of history then moved on to the next. You didn't just stick to the War between the States the entire year/ semester, whatever. You didn't deep dive in to a topic like that until you were in college.

Nope, 👎 Just don’t believe in religion of any type should be taught in schools that are funded with public money.

Teaching morality? Whose morality? Your version of it according to your beliefs?

In this case it's teaching in history based class on the bible. It will be taught in history class. Focus.

Nobody has been teaching "queer politics and sex change" to them. They have however been teaching they should accept everyone. That you shouldn't discriminate or bully those different than you. I understand you find that concept frightening.

The bottom line here is they will be teaching from the "Christian Bible". Even you know that shouldn't be happening in public schools.

This came from the superintendent of their schools. Claiming "Oklahoma" is fine with it is a lie. Besides, you can't have two wolves and one sheep voting on what's for dinner.


They didn't make a choice. And if your choice is to teach religion in school, that's not a choice you can make.


I had no idea that you considered DeSantis a libtard......

New Florida standards teach students that some Black people benefited from slavery because it taught useful skills

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-new...-benefited-slavery-taught-usef-rcna95418

You don't give a damn about teaching "actual history". You only give a damn that your version of actual history gets taught and that other parts get left out.

"If they're not Christians that's their problem".

It's easy to see what you're saying here.

“Oklahoma schools ordered to use Bible in history teaching”.

Good.

These woke idiots pushed too much and now it’s coming back to destroy them. Those woke pieces of garbage tried (and failed) to shove crt, gender choice and all that other crap down our children’s throats. I take pride in the fact that all of the public and private schools around me still say the pledge, require all children to honor our national anthem, and encourage children to follow their religion.

You do realize that encouraging children to follow their belief system means not to program them to be taught things they don't believe, right? And this isn't about teaching them to follow "their religion". It's about teaching them to "follow your religion."

That’s good. I’d rather have the kids learn the Bible than some of the other crap that the left is trying to shove down their throats.

You mean like how the governor of Florida is forcing children to be taught... "Black people benefited from slavery because it taught useful skills"? That's what happens when you leave it up to people of your ilk.

Your religion has no right to be taught in schools. Sadly I think the court system will be the only way you will learn that lesson since you think it's fine to cram your chosen religion down everyone elses throats in publicly funded schools. It belongs to the public. Not a religion.

And just like that, the parents should have say in what their children are taught in schools in thrown out the window because it no longer fits the narrative.

You are really unhinged. AHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Rock on Oklahoma! Pitdawgs head is popping off.

It will be overturned in court anyway. It just shows how cra cra people like you are.

https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/ryan-walters-to-require-bible-be-taught-in-oklahoma-schools

Okla. Dept. of Education to require Bible taught in schools


Bible on list of 'challenged' books at libraries
By: Erin Christy , Matthew HubbardPosted at 11:41 AM, Jun 27, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY — At the monthly Oklahoma Board of Education meeting, State Superintendent Ryan Walters issued a bible mandate in all public schools.

“We will be issuing a memo that every school district will adhere to, which is, that every teacher in every school in the state will have a Bible in the classroom and will be teaching from the Bible in the classroom,” said Walters.



The news comes just days after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the state must end its contract with St. Isidore Virtual Catholic School, citing it is unconstitutional. Set to open in the Fall, St. Isidore would be the nation’s first religious charter school.

“This would have been the most unique charter school in the country, so I want you to know, we will continue to fight back against this,” said Walters.


The fight is not technically Walters to fight. The Oklahoma Supreme Court denied his request to intervene in the lawsuit last November.

Regarding the Bible mandate, Walters points to state statutes.


“Under Title 70 in multiple occasions, the Bible is a necessary historical document,” he said during the meeting.

2 News looked at Title 70. In 1,470 pages, it is mentioned four times: three times under approved elective courses and once as valid proof of family record for a Greenwood scholarship.

It is too early to tell whether this mandate will be enforced. While Walters has passed controversial emergency rules, he also said he would require the Ten Commandments in class, enforce prayer, and require religious-based training for teachers. That has not transpired.

Lawsuits are already gearing up from the same group behind the recent St. Isidore win.

In a statement, Americans United says in part, “Walters is abusing the power of his public office to impose his religious beliefs. Americans United is ready to step in and protect all Oklahoma public school children… from Constitutional violations.”

2 News reached out to several metro school districts, including Tulsa, Jenks, Union and Broken Arrow. All replied with a similar answer--that they will be awaiting further guidance on implementation.


Senator Carri Hick's released this statement about Walters' directive.

“I, like most Oklahomans, want the best educational opportunities for my children. And yet, Oklahoma still cannot attract and keep enough qualified educators in our classrooms, and we continue to fall well below the regional average investment for public education. Add to those challenges the fact that teachers are already dealing with conflicting and confusing information about what they can and cannot teach. This new order does not provide solutions to the real problems facing our schools, and yet again, more taxpayer dollars that could have better supported our students and teachers will likely be diverted to address legal challenges.”
The Tulsa Jewish Community responded to the memo with this:

The Tulsa Jewish Community is deeply concerned by Superintendent Ryan Walters’s recent directive mandating the Christian Bible be present and taught in every public school classroom. While we hold the Hebrew Bible in high regard within Judaism, believing it contains fundamental moral teachings and Jewish history, we believe this directive undermines the core principles of religious freedom and the separation of church and state, which are essential to our democracy and the core principles upon which our nation was founded.

Earlier this week, the Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down the use of state funds for religious charter schools as unconstitutional. Similarly, enforcing the presence of the Christian Bible in public school classrooms not only goes against the spirit of religious neutrality protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, but also imposes a specific interpretation that does not encompass the diversity of religious beliefs in our society.

At a time when Oklahoma faces significant educational challenges, ranking 49th nationally, this directive distracts from addressing crucial education needs. Furthermore, it risks excluding students of various faiths, or those who adhere to no faith, creating divisions rather than fostering an inclusive educational environment.

We urge Mr. Walters to prioritize creating inclusive educational settings that respect and accommodate the diverse religious and cultural backgrounds of all Oklahoma students. Upholding these principles is vital for preserving religious liberty and ensuring that public education remains a space where every student can learn and thrive without the imposition of specific religious doctrines.


Senator Mary Boren said she was denied access by the State Board of Education, which violates the Open Meetings Act.

"Failing to comply with the Open Meetings Act nullifies the actions of the Oklahoma State Board of Education and invites judicial scrutiny," Boren said.

What a crock of GOPer WCN crap! There is ZERO historical significance in the biblical novel. Might as well teach kids that the easter bunny is a real 6’ Harvey… smfh, this crap makes me hate them.

I just don't know how I could have been so wrong. Geez. I always thought that we have the right to religious freedom and to worship as we wished in the USA. I always thought that if a person didn't want to believe in any god, they were free to do so.

But, according to Oklahoma, That isn't the case at all apparently. The ruling class of MAGA can tell us all what to do and how to think and what to believe in. I guess the USA isn't at all what I thought it was all these many years.

Jc

God must be weeping. All these fake Christian’s in this country clearly going to hell, despite all the virtue signaling they do.

Oklahoma and Louisiana have some of the lowest rankings in the country with regards to education and healthcare. But the Ten Commandments and teaching the Bible is somehow gonna turn that around? When satan needs to build more space, he doesn’t use illegal immigrants; he uses Christian Americans.

They think they can do anything as long as they package it in the name of Christianity. No matter if it has anything to do with Christianity or not.

Since when did a mythical fictional religious book written by mortals became real history? Going to need to see some real proof about it. Geez you religious kooks can’t even find a cup, let alone the stone tablets the Ten Commandments were carved into.