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Gift Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/...e_code=1.900.o5Fn._nTgcUsz6Pfx&smid=url-share
Oklahoma guidelines requiring the Bible be taught in public schools grades 5-12
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"... According to the guidance from Ryan Walters, the Republican state superintendent, every teacher must be given “a physical copy of the Bible, the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Ten Commandments.” It breaks down how instructors should teach the Bible — including its historical context, literary significance and influences on the arts and music — and by grade levels from five to 12.
The guidance comes about a month after Mr. Walters, a conservative Christian and former high school history teacher, directed all state K-12 schools to teach the Bible. The mandate was seen as an extraordinary move to push the limits of religious instruction in public schools, and reflects a growing view among conservatives that American democracy should be explicitly rooted in Christian values.
... “We will not allow rogue districts and administrators to indoctrinate hatred of America by refusing to teach foundational Oklahoma standards,” Mr. Walters wrote on X. “You cannot rewrite history. The left does not like it, but it will be taught.” ..."
The guidance comes about a month after Mr. Walters, a conservative Christian and former high school history teacher, directed all state K-12 schools to teach the Bible. The mandate was seen as an extraordinary move to push the limits of religious instruction in public schools, and reflects a growing view among conservatives that American democracy should be explicitly rooted in Christian values.
... “We will not allow rogue districts and administrators to indoctrinate hatred of America by refusing to teach foundational Oklahoma standards,” Mr. Walters wrote on X. “You cannot rewrite history. The left does not like it, but it will be taught.” ..."
Macksbrownies
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Not indoctrinating
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"...
The guidance, released just a few weeks before the new school year is set to begin, appears designed to try to head off concerns that the mandate violates religious freedoms. It says that teachers should emphasize “only its historical, literary and secular benefits, ensuring compliance with legal standards and precedents,” and that the Bible should be used “for its historical, literary and secular value” — not for religious purposes “such as preaching, proselytizing or indoctrination.”
When he introduced the mandate in June, Mr. Walters said that every teacher “will be teaching from the Bible in the classroom,” but the guidance doesn’t detail how it should be incorporated into science or math classes, or grade levels younger than fifth grade.
Stacey Woolley, the president of the Tulsa school board, is among the school district leaders who opposed the directive. She called the memo’s emphasis on teaching the Bible as a historical text disingenuous, and said that purchasing all the required documents for thousands of the district’s classrooms would be expensive. She added that her district would be sticking to the existing state academic standards. (The state’s standards for social studies require students to learn about major religions, including Christianity, but don’t require the teaching of specific religious texts.)
... The Bible directive in Oklahoma came a week after Louisiana required public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, which a group of parents has challenged in court, arguing that it is unconstitutional. The state agreed last week not to enforce the law until Nov. 15 while the court considers the merits of the case. ..."
The guidance, released just a few weeks before the new school year is set to begin, appears designed to try to head off concerns that the mandate violates religious freedoms. It says that teachers should emphasize “only its historical, literary and secular benefits, ensuring compliance with legal standards and precedents,” and that the Bible should be used “for its historical, literary and secular value” — not for religious purposes “such as preaching, proselytizing or indoctrination.”
When he introduced the mandate in June, Mr. Walters said that every teacher “will be teaching from the Bible in the classroom,” but the guidance doesn’t detail how it should be incorporated into science or math classes, or grade levels younger than fifth grade.
Stacey Woolley, the president of the Tulsa school board, is among the school district leaders who opposed the directive. She called the memo’s emphasis on teaching the Bible as a historical text disingenuous, and said that purchasing all the required documents for thousands of the district’s classrooms would be expensive. She added that her district would be sticking to the existing state academic standards. (The state’s standards for social studies require students to learn about major religions, including Christianity, but don’t require the teaching of specific religious texts.)
... The Bible directive in Oklahoma came a week after Louisiana required public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, which a group of parents has challenged in court, arguing that it is unconstitutional. The state agreed last week not to enforce the law until Nov. 15 while the court considers the merits of the case. ..."
ChapelHillSooner
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Every teacher must teach the Bible?
What sense does that make? Some teachers may have very limited knowledge of the Bible. Do we expect the math teacher to have knowledge of the Bible or waste precious time teaching it?
This was a terrible idea from the beginning but stating all teachers must teach it makes it so much worse.
A teacher is going to sue based on religious discrimination as it is unreasonable to expect a math teacher (for example) to have a working knowledge of the Bible.
Even a court that allows a limited amount of Christianity in public schools would surely have a problem with this. Right?
What sense does that make? Some teachers may have very limited knowledge of the Bible. Do we expect the math teacher to have knowledge of the Bible or waste precious time teaching it?
This was a terrible idea from the beginning but stating all teachers must teach it makes it so much worse.
A teacher is going to sue based on religious discrimination as it is unreasonable to expect a math teacher (for example) to have a working knowledge of the Bible.
Even a court that allows a limited amount of Christianity in public schools would surely have a problem with this. Right?
ChapelHillSooner
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And this, my friends, is one reason I haven’t lived in Oklahoma in 30 years.
The state is far more cray cray than it was back then.
The state is far more cray cray than it was back then.
maxcrowder
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Not this Supreme Court.
superrific
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After the immunity decision, I've vowed never to say never with this Court.
That said, I'm doubtful that they want to jump that far right now. They tend to work in an Overton window way -- they keep pushing the boundaries further and further in an attempt to hide how radical they have gotten. This court might be happy to get to this point eventually, but I wouldn't bet on it at the moment.
But again, never say never.