This article was originally published in Oklahoma Voice.
OKLAHOMA CITY — A group of Oklahoma parents, students, teachers and faith leaders have asked the state Supreme Court to block a mandate that public schools teach from the Bible and keep a copy of it in classrooms.
Thirty-two plaintiffs filed the request on Thursday, contending the mandate violates the Oklahoma Constitution’s ban of state-established religion. They asked the justices to deem the requirements unenforceable and stop the use of taxpayer funds to buy Bibles.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is seeking to purchase 55,000 Bibles to place in public school classrooms. State Superintendent Ryan Walters ordered public schools to incorporate more instruction on the Bible, particularly in fifth through 12th grade history courses.
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Walters has said his aim is for schools to teach the historical and literary importance of the Bible, not to proselytize.