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Why Every State Needs to Follow In Oklahoma's Footsteps
Townhall ^ | 06/29/24 | Sarah Arnold

Posted on 06/29/2024 11:00:04 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Oklahoma schools will be required to teach the Bible and the Ten Commandments to all grade school children.

Effective immediately, Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters sent a memo to schools saying that grades five through 12 are required to refer to the Bible and the Ten Commandments for their “substantial influence on our nation’s founders and the foundational principles of our Constitution.”

Walters said the new curriculum is to ensure that “historical understanding is there for every student in the state of Oklahoma.”

“It’s crystal clear to us that in the Oklahoma academic standards under Title 70 on multiple occasions, the Bible is a necessary historical document to teach our kids about the history of this country, to have a complete understanding of Western civilization, to have an understanding of the basis of our legal system,” Walters said.

“The Bible is an indispensable historical and cultural touchstone. Without basic knowledge of it, Oklahoma students are unable to properly contextualize the foundation of our nation. This is not merely an educational directive but a crucial step in ensuring our students grasp the core values and historical context of our country.”

However, critics argue the new rule is “trampling the religious freedom of public school children and their families.”

Americans United for Separation of Church and State accused Walters of “abusing the power of his public office to impose his religious beliefs on everyone else’s children,” arguing that it is “Christian Nationalism.”

Interfaith Alliance claimed that Walter’s memo is “religious coercion” and that the new rule projects a “dangerous, intimidating efforts to force a Christian nationalist agenda into our schools, our courts and our government.”

Walter’s decision comes after the state’s Supreme Court blocked an effort to establish the first publicly funded religious charter school in the U.S.

Walters called the ruling “one of the worst” decisions the Oklahoma Supreme Court has made.

“What the court did was rule against the parents of Oklahoma who have demanded more choices for their kids. We have a great opportunity to make sure that parents have the most options of any parents in the country here in Oklahoma, by giving them the ability to go to a public school, charter schools, private schools, this would have been the most unique charter school in the country,” Walters said.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: Oklahoma
KEYWORDS: bible; oklahoma; publicschool; religion; tencommandments
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To: Bullish

I’m sure Tulsa is not all of Oklahoma.


21 posted on 06/29/2024 3:49:31 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: libertylover

If there’s one thing I don’t like, it is government imposition.

I’d rather see a class where students and their parents VOLUNTARILY attend a Bible class and the government/state not preventing this.


22 posted on 06/29/2024 3:54:29 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar; All

:)

PBS NewsHour

A new directive from Oklahoma’s top education official requires all public schools to teach the Bible and the Ten Commandments. It comes weeks after Louisiana mandated the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

Stephanie Sy discussed more with Ryan Walters, the author of the order and Oklahoma’s state superintendent of public education.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREL7Ml8hkE


23 posted on 07/02/2024 9:52:07 AM PDT by Texan4Life
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To: SeekAndFind
What’s to stop Muslims for example, from demanding that the Koran be taught in public schools?

The founders were not mohammedans, the koran in no way informed the philosophy or ideology of the founding generation, and the relationship between mohammedanism and the young United States was one of open warfare.

24 posted on 07/02/2024 9:55:58 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: Vermont Lt
I went to Sunday school to learn about Moses. I went to public school to learn to read and write and cogitate.

I went to Catholic Schools and learned about both in the same place.

I object to the very existence of government schools. They should be abolished. Then none of us would have to worry about what "union mouthpiece[s]" are teaching.

25 posted on 07/02/2024 9:59:01 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: NorthMountain

My kids went to Catholic schools. That was my choice and I paid for it. But I also paid for public schools in my town. Those schools are attended by Christian’s and non Christians.

Should children learn about comparative belief systems? Of course. Should one system be the basis for their education? I dont believe it should.


26 posted on 07/02/2024 10:03:41 AM PDT by Vermont Lt (Don’t vote for anyone over 70 years old. Get rid of the geriatric politicians.)
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To: Vermont Lt
That was my choice and I paid for it.

Voluntarily.

But I also paid for public schools in my town.

At gunpoint.

Should one system be the basis for their education? I dont believe it should.

I agree. That's why government schools should be abolished. Let We the People form, and voluntarily pay for, the sort of education WE want for our children.

27 posted on 07/02/2024 10:06:34 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: NorthMountain

My school is run from my town.

I live in MA and you would think the schools would be a liberal mess. Our town has a very involved school committe and parent base. They have managed to keep 99% of the silliness out of the system. There were no rainbow flags flying in our schools for example.

I understand this is not the case everywhere. I pay the highest tax rate in the state and a lot of that money goes to our schools. But, our outcomes rank up there with the best private schools. That is what our parents (upper middle class, lots of doctors and lawyers and Corporate Managers) expect.

While I disagree with your premise, I can understand why you might feel that way. Schools and education should be local. In my case it is. I know that is not always the same across the country.


28 posted on 07/02/2024 10:40:37 AM PDT by Vermont Lt (Don’t vote for anyone over 70 years old. Get rid of the geriatric politicians.)
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To: SeekAndFind
What’s to stop Muslims for example, from demanding that the Koran be taught in public schools?

The fact that the Koran and Islam were not the inspiration or foundation of our Nation’s laws. FTA: ”…. grades five through 12 are required to refer to the Bible and the Ten Commandments for their “substantial influence on our nation’s founders and the foundational principles of our Constitution.”

29 posted on 07/02/2024 10:49:50 AM PDT by liberalh8ter ( Ephesians 6:10 - 18)
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