Oklahoma has adjusted its requirements for having Bibles in school classrooms, allowing for more versions to meet the criteria for state approval rather than just the “Trump Bible,” as reported by The Independent. The changes were made to the request for 55,000 school Bibles in classrooms, removing the stipulation that certain US historical documents like the Constitution and Declaration of Independence must be included.
Previously, the requirements closely aligned with the God Bless the USA Bible that was endorsed by former President Donald Trump earlier in the year. This particular Bible comes at a higher cost compared to other versions. The updated request now allows for the documents to either be included with the Bibles or provided separately. Additionally, the deadline for offers to supply the books has been extended from October 14 to October 21.
The initiative to introduce Bibles in classrooms has been championed by State Superintendent Ryan Walters, although it has faced opposition from some of the state’s largest school districts. Walters argued in a video shared on X that the Bible holds significant historical value in the nation’s history, justifying its presence in schools. He also criticised what he described as “fake news media” for spreading misinformation about the measure, suggesting bias against both Trump and the Bible.
According to a statement from a spokesperson for the superintendent, the changes to the request were proposed by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to ensure fairness and cost-effectiveness. The office’s representative mentioned that the amendments were made to provide better value for Oklahomans. Originally, the request called for Bibles with specific specifications that matched the one recommended by Trump, priced at $59.99, whereas other versions are available for under $20.
The move to diversify the range of Bibles that can be used in classrooms aims to accommodate different preferences and budgets, ultimately promoting inclusivity and accessibility in education across Oklahoma.