Ryan Walters wants the Bible in Oklahoma’s public schools. Here’s the problem with that.

Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters says he wants the Bible to be used in the state's public schools. Americans United last week blasted Walters' plan, noting that it's the latest manifestation of his constant promotion of Christian Nationalism.

This doesn't mean the Bible can never be used in public schools. It can - as long as certain guardrails are in place.

Americans United has produced a series of "Know Your Rights" guides students, parents and teachers in public schools. The guide for teachers addresses this issue.

'Present the material objectively'

"Schools may teach factual information about religion, such as including in a history class the role of religion in the settlement of the American colonies or teaching in a geography or social-studies class the religious makeup of countries," the guide observes. "It is generally not impermissible coercion to have students learn facts about religion. You can even use some religious materials, like the Bible, as part of literary and historic instruction, if you present the material objectively and do not attempt to introduce religious teachings. For example, it would be okay to use the Bible to help explain certain biblical allegories in English class, or as a text to compare with others in an ancient-history class."

Despite what our detractors claim, Americans United has never argued for removing all references to religion from public education. Religion can be studied objectively in history, social studies, English and Art classes, among others. But the approach must be educational, not devotional.

Let's say students are reading John Steinbeck's novel East of Eden. It would be helpful for them to know that the title is from the Book of Genesis. Students in art appreciation class studying Caravaggio's "The Beheading of St. John the Baptist" will appreciate the work better if they know the story, which appears in the Gospels. When students learn American history, they need to know about the religious impulses that inspired the Puritans to create a theocratic state in New England (and its drawbacks).

What Walters wants

But let's be honest: This type of objective, factual instruction is not what Walters wants. The material he issued makes it clear that Walters wants students to be taught that the Bible and the Ten Commandments inspired the U.S. Constitution and are the basis of our government. There is no evidence for this; it's a Christian Nationalist lie.

In short, this is yet another effort by Walters to push bad history and further his never-ending crusade to use Oklahoma's public schools as instruments of fundamentalist Christian evangelism.

Americans United won't let him get away with that.

P.S. AU President and CEO Rachel Laser appeared on CNN twice to discuss this issue. You can watch video from one of the appearances here.

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