Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters released guidelines on the state’s controversial Bible mandate in public schools on Wednesday.
In June, Walters ordered educators for grades 5 through 12 to incorporate the Bible into their lessons, arguing that the Bible is necessary to ensure “students grasp the core values and historical context of our country,” he said in a statement at the time.
The order was followed by an intense backlash from civil liberties groups and the Oklahoma Education Association – a collective of educators, administrators and other school employees.
The new guidelines require educators to incorporate the Bible by looking at “only its historical, literary and secular benefits” by noting the Bible’s influence on Western civilization, American history, literature, art and music.
So, that means you can teach about:
• Thomas Jefferson putting together his own version of the New Testament that omits all of the supernatural parts.
• The “slave Bibles” that omitted any verses about freedom from bondage so slaves wouldn’t yearn for it but still be Christians.
• Bible verses that the slavers used to justify slavery.
• Forcibly converting indigenous Americans to Christianity by putting their children in special religious boarding schools.
• The complete failure of the religious-motivated alcohol prohibition movement.
• Catholic priest Father Coughlin going on the radio every week and talking about how Hitler was ordained by God.
I’m sure others of you can come up with examples.