New lawsuit filed against OK Superintendent Ryan Walters Bible mandate

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A new lawsuit has been filed to stop Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters' mandate that Bibles be placed in every classroom.

More than 30 parents and children, public school teachers, and faith leaders filed the suit, asking the Oklahoma State Supreme Court to block Walters from spending millions of dollars on Bibles.

“I am a faith leader who cares deeply about our country’s promise of religious freedom and ensuring that everyone is able to choose their own spiritual path. The state mandating that one particular religious text be taught in our schools violates the religious freedom of parents and children, teachers, and taxpayers," said Plaintiff Rev. Lori Walke, Senior Minister of Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ in Oklahoma City. "The government has no business weighing in on such theological decisions. I’m proud to join this lawsuit because I believe Superintendent Walters’ plan to use taxpayer money to buy Bibles and force public schools to teach from them is illegal and unconstitutional.”

Under the mandate by Walters, Oklahoma schools must incorporate the Bible into lesson plans for all public school students in grades five through 12 in Oklahoma.

This is what Walters said back in June when the mandate was announced.

“The Bible is an indispensable historical and cultural touchstone,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters. “Without basic knowledge of it, Oklahoma students are unable to properly contextualize the foundation of our nation, which is why Oklahoma educational standards provide for its instruction. This is not merely an educational directive but a crucial step in ensuring our students grasp the core values and historical context of our country.”

“As parents, my husband and I have sole responsibility to decide how and when our children learn about the Bible and religious teachings. We are devout Christians, but different Christian denominations have different theological beliefs and practices. It is not the role of any politician or public school official to intervene in these personal matters. Oklahoma's education system is already struggling, ranking nearly last in national standings. Mandating a Bible curriculum will not address our educational shortcomings. Superintendent Walters should focus on providing our children and teachers with the resources they need; our families can handle religious education at home,” said Plaintiff Erika Wright, Cleveland County, the founder and leader of the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition, and parent of two children attending public schools.

The defendants in the lawsuit are Walters; the Oklahoma State Department of Education; the Oklahoma State Board of Education and its five members, Donald Burdick, Sarah Lepak, Katie Quebedeaux, Zachary Archer and Kendra Wesson; and the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, its Executive Director Rick Rose, State Purchasing Director Amanda Otis and Contracting Officer Brenda Hansel.

Read the lawsuit:

This is a developing story.