Sun Nov 17 11:40:00 UTC 2024: **Oklahoma Superintendent Ordered Schools to Show Religious Video; Faces Backlash**
EDMOND, Okla. — Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is facing criticism after mandating that all public schools show students a video promoting religious freedom and patriotism. The video, which features Walters praying for President Trump, was sent to superintendents Thursday as part of the launch of a new Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism within the state Department of Education.
Walters’ directive requires schools to play the video for all enrolled students and send it to parents. However, major districts like Edmond and Bixby have refused to comply, stating they have no plans to show the video to students. The Tulsa district, the state’s largest, has yet to respond.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a statement declaring Walters’ mandate unenforceable and a violation of parents’ rights, local control, and individual free-exercise rights. This action follows two existing lawsuits against Walters, one challenging his June mandate to incorporate Bibles into school lesson plans. That lawsuit also alleges that the initial request for proposal for purchasing Bibles appeared tailored to a specific, more expensive edition endorsed by President Trump, despite cheaper alternatives being available. The initial request was later amended.
Adding to the controversy, Walters recently announced the purchase of over 500 “God Bless the USA” Bibles for AP government classes at a cost of approximately $25,000. These Bibles, ironically printed in China, were purchased despite the Superintendent’s past criticisms of China’s trade practices.
Walters, elected in 2022, ran on a platform of opposing “woke ideology” and removing what he terms “radical leftists” from schools. His latest actions have sparked significant debate regarding the separation of church and state in public education and the authority of the state superintendent.
First Piper 