Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has thrust one translation of Christianity’s holy book into the spotlight with his controversial plans to distribute it to public school students across the state.
Walters initially said he supported purchasing the New King James Version, and a member of the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus, Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, who is pastor, also touted that translation in a recent news release from state affiliate of a national far-right Republican group.
However, the King James Version is listed in the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s bid documents for the holy books.
Walters said he wanted to distribute a Bible “free from commentary,” with the intent to put the text of “a historical document and its usage in American history” into students’ hands. And, the elected leader said he wouldn’t mind if the Bibles included key historical documents, like the U.S. Constitution.
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