Oklahoma’s new state superintendent says he will not move forward with his predecessor’s plan to distribute Bibles in public classrooms, according to reports. The decision comes after the Oklahoma Supreme Court gave Superintendent Lindel Fields until Oct. 28 to decide on the matter.
“We plan to file a motion to dismiss, and have no plans to distribute Bibles or a Biblical character education curriculum in classrooms,” Fields said in a statement, as reported by KOKH News. “If resources are left to be allocated, the timing is fortunate since the team and I are currently reviewing the budget.”
Former Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters was pushing a policy to put Bibles in public school classrooms before he left the position earlier this month. He argued that the Bible should be included, not necessarily for religious reasons but because it influences history, literature and culture.
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Lawsuit prompted by Bible mandate
In response to Walters’ plan, a group of people, including parents and faith leaders in Oklahoma, filed a lawsuit challenging the Bible-in-classrooms mandate, arguing that it would violate students’ religious liberty. The previous officials involved in the case, including former Superintendent Ryan Walters, have left office, meaning Fields is now legally responsible for decisions related to the case.
First Amendment freedoms
In Abington School District v. Schempp (1963), the Supreme Court ruled that public schools cannot sponsor Bible readings or prayer, as this violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.
The state’s high court wanted to know, by Oct. 28, if Fields intended to continue fighting for the Bible mandate or drop it.
Tara Thompson, interim communications director for the state’s education department, said the agency will drop the mandate, end the lawsuit and plan to give schools new instructions on how to move forward.
Texas moves ahead with optional Bible curriculum
Oklahoma’s decision to step back from putting Bibles in classrooms comes as Texas moves forward with optional Bible-based lessons. Last year, the Texas Board of Education voted to allow schools to teach lessons based on the Bible. No school is required to use the Bible-based curriculum. The lessons are optional, and individual schools or districts can decide whether or not to use them.
Supporters of the Texas lessons said the Bible adds important historical and cultural context. In contrast, opponents said it could exclude students of other beliefs and violate constitutional law by mixing religion with public education.
