Oklahoma Education Chief Defends Bible Mandate in Classrooms Amid CNN Clash

Oklahoma Schools Chief Ryan Walters defended a new mandate requiring the Bible and 10 Commandments to be incorporated into classroom lessons during a tense debate on CNN.

Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has sparked controversy with a new mandate requiring the Bible to be incorporated into classroom lessons. In a heated clash on CNN, Walters defended the decision amidst concerns raised by host Pamela Brown.

Brown confronted Walters about the inclusion of "beheading, rape, and incest" in the Bible, questioning if such topics were appropriate for children to learn about. However, Walters did not directly address Brown's concerns, instead emphasizing the importance of the Bible's historical significance.

Oklahoma Education Chief Defends Bible Mandate in Classrooms Amid CNN Clash

"The Bible had a profound influence on American history. It was the best-selling book in American history. To not teach that in the classroom is academic malpractice," Walters told Brown.

When pressed about whether teachers would be allowed to teach "all aspects of the Bible," Walters drew a distinction between the Bible and other materials that have been removed from schools for being pornographic. "The Bible is not on the same plane as 'Gender Queer' and 'Flamer'," he stated.

Oklahoma Education Chief Defends Bible Mandate in Classrooms Amid CNN Clash

Walters asserted that the Bible would only be referenced in relation to specific historical documents and events, such as the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence. He argued that excluding such references would amount to a "false history" that downplays the role of faith in American society.

Brown countered Walters' arguments, noting that God is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution and that the Declaration of Independence refers to a "Christian God." She also challenged the idea that Christianity played a dominant role in the founding of America, citing the equal rights afforded to all citizens.

Oklahoma Education Chief Defends Bible Mandate in Classrooms Amid CNN Clash

Undeterred, Walters maintained his position, stating that censoring the Bible from schools would create "state-sponsored atheist centers." He emphasized that his directive was purely historical in nature.

The new policy in Oklahoma requires all public schools to include the Bible and the Ten Commandments as "instructional support" in lessons covering history, civilization, ethics, and comparative religion. Walters claims that this mandate is consistent with educational standards approved in 2019.

While Louisiana has passed a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, Oklahoma is the first state to mandate the incorporation of the Bible itself into all classrooms, effective immediately.

The debate over the Bible's place in classrooms is likely to continue, with critics arguing for a separation of church and state and proponents emphasizing the historical and cultural importance of the text.