OKLAHOMA CITY ( KFOR ) – Several religious leaders rejected Oklahoma School Superintendent Ryan Walters’ demands Thursday that every classroom should have a bible and that it be taught.
“Public schools are not Sunday schools,” posted Minister Lori Walke of Mayflower Congregational.
“We are concerned and worry about the religious parents and students throughout Oklahoma after that,” said President and CEO of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State Rachel Laser.
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State Superintendent Ryan Walters said during the monthly board meeting that “every district and every classroom will have a Bible in the class and they will teach from that Bible.” Supt. Walters called it a “historical document that needs to be taught.”
A memorandum he said was sent to all districts said that “ effective immediately, all Oklahoma schools are required to incorporate the Bible, which includes the Ten Commandments, as an instructional support into the curriculum across specified grade levels, e.g., grades five through 12 .”