Oklahoma’s State Superintendent of Education has sparked controversy by mandating the inclusion of Bibles in public school classrooms, with a specific preference for versions endorsed by the Trump family. The state issued a request for proposals for the purchase of 55,000 Bibles, stipulating that they must be the King James version and include American political documents like the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Only a few Bibles on the market align with these requirements, including the $60 God Bless the USA Bible and the $90 We The People Bible, both endorsed by members of the Trump family. Critics, including Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Alicia Andrews, have accused the state superintendent of attempting to curry favour with the Trumps through this initiative. However, Oklahoma Department of Education spokesperson Dan Isett has stated that the request for proposals aims to ensure a competitive process and meet the educational needs of Oklahoma classrooms.
State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who endorsed Trump for president, denied any political motives behind the Bible mandate. He has defended the decision to teach the Bible in schools by emphasising its historical significance and influence on Western civilization. The push for Bible teaching in Oklahoma has divided opinions, with some arguing that it violates the separation of church and state, while others see it as an important part of the curriculum.
Local school officials, such as Rob Miller from Bixby Public Schools, have highlighted that local districts should have autonomy in choosing their curricula. Miller expressed concerns about reducing the Bible to a mere classroom prop and stressed the importance of maintaining its sacred value. This move in Oklahoma echoes past controversies surrounding the use of the Bible for political purposes, such as when former President Trump held up a Bible during a controversial photo-op at St. John’s Episcopal Church in 2020.
As debates continue over the role of religion in public education, the inclusion of Bibles in Oklahoma classrooms remains a contentious issue, drawing attention to the intersection of politics, education, and faith.