Oklahoma parents are suing the state, alleging that new classroom standards pushed by State Superintendent Ryan Walters are little more than Christian indoctrination wrapped in a civics lesson.
You may recall that last year, Walters led a sweeping overhaul of K–12 education, mandating curriculum changes that inject Christian theology directly into public school classrooms. Walters argued that America is a Christian nation, that the Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by Christianity when drafting the Constitution, and that Christianity and the United States are inextricably intertwined. Walters even sought $6 million in state funding to put so-called “Trump Bibles” in every classroom in the state.
Now, a group of more than three dozen parents is pushing back, hoping to stop the new standards before they’re implemented this fall.
What Are the New Education Standards?
The updated standards place a heavy emphasis on Christianity’s role in shaping American law and culture. At points, it veers into teaching Christian theology itself, critics say.
For example, per the new education requirements, second graders will learn to “identify stories from Christianity that influenced the American colonists, Founders, and culture, including the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth (e.g.,the ‘Golden Rule,’ the Sermon on the Mount).”
Eighth graders will have to “evaluate the role of Judeo-Christian ideals in supporting colonial demands for independence, as exemplified by the Bible being a frequently cited authority by America's Founders.”
And high schoolers will have to “describe how the Constitution of the United States was influenced by religion, morality, and the Bible as frequently cited authority by America's founders.”
Walters argues that understanding Christianity is necessary to understanding America itself. But some parents say he’s simply going too far.
Parents Push Back
The families fighting back say they aren't comfortable with theological undercurrents in their children's public education, and that they should have control over the topic – not the state.
“Oklahoma families, not politicians or public schools, should decide if, when and how children engage with religion,” reads a press release from Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a religious freedom advocacy organization offering legal assistance to the parents pursuing legal action against Oklahoma. “If implemented, these new social studies standards will violate students’ and families’ religious freedom by promoting Christianity and advancing Christian Nationalist disinformation. Not on our watch.”
The lead plaintiff in the case, Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall, a Baptist minister and member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, says the situation feels all too familiar. “It’s a painful reminder of the forced religious proselytization my family members experienced in Native American boarding schools in Oklahoma,” he stated. “I urge the court to protect religious freedom for all Oklahomans and prevent implementation of these new standards.”
What’s Next?
These standards are set to roll out statewide this fall. That is, unless a judge steps in – which is what the plaintiffs in the lawsuit are aiming for.
At the heart of the lawsuit is a pressing constitutional question: Is a robust education on Christian ethics, history, and theology necessary for a well-rounded education on American history? And is this an earnest attempt to provide historical context for Christianity’s influence on America… or a Christian nationalist Trojan horse sneaking proselytization into public schools?
The courtroom may ultimately decide, but the public debate is already here. Where do you stand?
54 comments
-
Kevin Patrick Dabbs
Keep religion out of schools, if you are going to teach 1 religion, then you need to teach them all.. there is NO ONE that's smart enough to teach all religions in the US.. keep religion out of school and politics out of church
-
James Riggle-Johnson
Walters has been working towards this for years and has even purchased the Bibles. And not just any bible, he purchased the tRump bibles. If they want to offer an elective course on comparative religion to older students, such as those in 8th to 12th grade, then go for it. It should include all major religions and be taught by someone who has studied religion.
-
J Orville Adams
Our constitution has two clauses, the first the establishment clause and the second the free practice clause. In the establishment clause it says you can form ANY RELIGION. It doesn't restrict to Christianity. The Supreme Court has ruled many times that the state can favor no single religion. That is why when you show a cross, you also have to show a star of David and symbols from other religions, no single religion can be favored... The problem is not that they are teaching religion, rather they are favoring Christianity over all others...
-
Reverend Bobbie
NO!
-
Jannetje Eleanore Van Went
What about all the other people of different faiths that feel Christianity was unjust and judges harshly, kills and murders their people over Christian getting, this type of higher status.
What about the truth, the the constitution is an invalid document and was made fraudulent by adding a fifth name of an industrial leader (Ben Franklin - additional names added to contracts, unrelated to contracts intention make the contract null and void or confusing or conveluted) you can't add a random name to a countries governing document, giving the right of unclaimable properties to leaders of government ...and industry. Fraudulently holding that void contract over people's heads while claiming Christians did this, they lied to us all and stole land and controlled the people with industry in the USA, (this is where I say Christians need to rain in their faith, the only monostatic faith to let just anyone to claim Christianity without ensuring they will not abuse the religion and use it to prepell themselves to higher perspectives and control people with it...christians this is dangerous to let powerful men abuse your faith for vain practice, your faith will suffer for it) the people did not have choice in religion, it was and appears to be still needing force because it's saying it's not a true leader of faith people follow because it has something good to offer...
This is what we do with all industry, if people like it, it stays if they don't it goes....why is government forcing something that's should live off its own good grace of faith...unless that bogus constitution has given industrial christianity that right, illegally to control peoples faiths when constitutionally the human rights code says freedom of religion for all people...are the USA not considered people under the human rights law?!
Is Christianity using government to control people or is government using Christianity to control people...this is the only true question here.
-
Michael S. Russell
Actually, the Constitution is very valid. And you seem to think Benjamin Franklin was not a Founding Father. He was, and in support of the Colonies, he was back and forth between them and Britain to try to negotiate a peaceful settlement. You might remember he was also an inventor. Poor Richards Almanac, the US Postal Service, electricity (of a sort) and yes, a Founding Father among many other things. It is unfortunate that most of the US Laws have been corrupted by being based on the Christian/Catholic religions. And the Constitution itself has been marred by some Amendments that were formed from those same religions that are in US Laws. But it is in no way invalid. You are correct that religion is used by the US government to control people. Look at the current "president" and how people still insist he is the "Second Coming of Christ". Very pathetic. The way to fight that is from the top. The Pope himself must denounce the churches that have switched their "god" to Trump and he must officially absolve all associations those churches have to the religion. Condemnation from the Pope to all those that have abused the faith will be a huge start to opening peoples eyes. And as for the government trying to control what religions that can practice in the US, yes. MAGA/GOP are trying to move that way to support the Christian Nationalists. But my religion is very small. I am one of 32 recognized ministers in the World of a religion that became recognized in 2014. While there was some hassle getting Official documents done, in the end they knew they had no right to limit ANY religion from forming or practicing the same rights all other religions have in the US. Of course, my County in my State recognizes ULC so that made things easier to bring the ones that showed disdain for me back in line with the Law. Let that anger you showed in your post turn to action. Start contacting supportive legislators. Form a support group. Post online and get your message out there. But do it more calmly and with a leveler head than this post. Passion and anger can cloud your reasoning. And although it is easier to feed people's fear and anger, always try to motivate from peace and hope. Those are not weaknesses. Those are morals. Think-Plan-Do. Have a great day, fellow Minister!
-
Michael S. Russell
Comment removed by user.
-
-
Douglas Robert Spindler
Will the truth be taught? The Native Americans had been practicing there religion for 10,000 years. It wasn't until the Europeans came with there 2,000 year old religion 500 years ago and started killing on the the Native Americans, stealing their land, forcing them into slavery and forcing this new Christian cult on people that the new Christian religion became popular.
-
Michael S. Russell
To teach the Bible in a Christian School is expected. But NOT in Public School. Using the excuse it is needed to teach about US laws and culture is clearly a VERY thinly veiled reason to brainwash our children to the Christian Nationalists. If a separate class is desired as an alternative to a Study Hall or After School Club, that's ok. But it has to be something that the child does voluntarily and NOT as a mandatory class. To force one religion into US classrooms shows the government of Oklahoma, or any other State that decides to do this, does not remember US History or has chosen to ignore it to force people to submit to their religion. I wonder if they remember why America is called a "Melting Pot". NO RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
-
Ari Joseph Bertine
There is nothing about Christianity that anyone needs to know in order to understand anything that was ever done by anyone. We can clearly see today that Christianity has no bearing on the behavior or ideals of anyone claiming to be Christian. If you take 100 Christians from random places around the country, you will have 100 widely varying sets of ideals and behaviors, some of which won't even align with anything that's in the Bible. The claim that this is necessary teaching is simply untrue.
-
David Dorrycott
Short answer, NO.
Long answer, Almost no teachers have extensive four year education in the Christian Mythology, therefore will have to rely on the writings of some unwashed fat dork in his mothers basement who's googling religion and making up what he doesn't understand.
The Dude Abides!
-
Matthew Mastrogiovanni
No Bibles in public schools. Not only does it contain inappropriate material for children, but it's public school. Teaching the bible in church, is where that belongs.
-
Blake Andrew Tallman
i will say it again school is for learning not for religion kids should be learning math science reading and english and all such subjects but not religion if kids wish to pray during moment of silences they can but everyone else doesnt have to if u want religion u go to a church not school im spiritual and a wicaan but my symbol is mine it belongs with me on my things not anywhere else
-
JT Sunrise
When Faith Enters the Classroom: A Christ-Centered Analysis
By Rev JTSunrise
⸻
I. The Sacred and the Secular: Jesus’ Model of Boundaries
When Jesus declared,
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17),
Jesus pioneered a model for public engagement and spiritual integrity. He affirmed legitimate earthly governance, while simultaneously grounding authority in divine wisdom. This dual posture balances civic responsibility and holy devotion—teaching us not to subsume one under the other.
The Oklahoma case, led by Rev. Mitch Randall and families, echoes this tension: public schools are not platforms for personal theology—not when state authority forces a particular religious narrative into standard civics education. The plaintiffs argue that the new curriculum “violates students’ and families’ religious freedom” and “promotes Christian nationalist disinformation,” citing that it requires children—even second-graders—to learn Bible stories as influence on American history.
⸻
II. Inclusivity Rooted in Christ’s Ethic
Jesus walked among the marginal and the misrepresented: lepers, tax collectors, Samaritans, and sinners—Wounded souls he used to reach God’s glory. He never demanded civic enforcement of faith. He demanded radical compassion, not political indoctrination.
In Oklahoma, the lawsuit warns the Bible is being reduced “to a history book—or worse, a tacit civics textbook” . Yet Christ invites the world into theological mystery, into relationship—not into state-approved devotionals.
⸻
III. Historical Honesty vs. Theological Overreach
It’s indisputable that Judaeo‑Christian ethics shaped early American political thought. But Jesus calls for integrity, not propaganda. He calls for truth rooted in love. Conflating sacred narrative with civic duty risks turning education into an altar, and classrooms into pulpits.
Critics argue that the standards contain “fewer mentions of other faiths” and “several dozen references to the Bible while lacking balance”  . They warn of doctrinal favoritism veiled as “facts,” echoing Jesus’ caution against making faith a tool for domination and exclusion.
⸻
IV. The Plank in the Eye: A Christlike Self‑Examination
Jesus instructed religious leaders who persecuted the hurting:
“First remove the plank from your own eye” (Matthew 7:5).
He didn’t say to dismantle all moral teaching; he urged introspection and humility. In this moment, Oklahoma’s leaders are called to ask: Are we educating children—or endangering religious liberty? Are we nurturing historical literacy—or evangelizing under government sanction?
⸻
V. A Kingdom of Freedom and Faith
Christ announced a context where divine love transforms civic life—but never by coercion. He said,
“My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).
Our discipleship isn’t defined by mandated curriculum but manifested by transformation—from within. Public schools should foster critical thinking, not sectarian shaping; pluralistic integrity, not zeal.
⸻
Final Reflection
The lawsuit before Oklahoma’s Supreme Court (Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall v. Ryan Walters) highlights something deeply prophetic: the need to safeguard spiritual sovereignty while honoring civic unity .
May we, as followers of Christ, champion both: • Religious freedom, ensuring all families determine faith formation, • Moral literacy, teaching history with honesty and care, without spiritual coercion.
Rev JTSunrise
-
Terri Gail George
Absolutely church & (public) schools should be separate. It’s up to parents to teach their children religion and whatever their beliefs are. We are a nation of immigrants with many different religions and cultural beliefs and it’s their right to believe as they choose.
-
Steven Ferrell
If they can push the alphabet agenda, the liberal agenda, then they should be able to also state the other side.
If they don’t want to allow the Bible in the classroom, then also keep out the alphabet crap.-
James Riggle-Johnson
No one is teaching the “Alphabet Crap” as you put it. It is not part of any lesson plan. There are books available in some schools, but that's about it. The thought of teaching the LGBTQ agenda is far-right Christian propaganda to stoke fear and provide something or someone to hate!
-
Brien
The alphabet crap? So in your all or nothing zealot world, if you can't teach your religion to my child, then my child is not to be taught at all? You are a prime example of why religion does not belong in public schools. Teach your beliefs to your own or send them to Bible school. Leave mine alone.
-
Robert Edward Szekely
is that supposed to be a joke, or are you stoned?
-
-
Michael Patrick Ferrell
Not just no, HELL NO!
-
Keith Ramsey
Oklahoma is being sued. Louisianan is being sued. Texas is being sued.
Iowa or Idaho is also being sued, I forget which, the want the Bible taught at every single grade level.Those are just the one's that I've heard about, they are being sued because they want to force their religious beliefs on every single student in the state. Doesn't matter what religion the child or the parent is, the political leaders believe that Christianity must be taught... FORCED on to all of them.
Doesn't matter that a 1963 SCOTUS ruling said that the school should not lead prayer or MANDATORY Bible reading on schools. They don't care about that, because they want to force their beliefs on others, while screaming about how wrong it is for anyone to think differently.
And with our current SCOTUS.. it is questionable on where or not they will actually side with the Constitution or not. Several of their recent rulings have shown that they really don't care about the Constitutional rights of non-conservatives. They've basically said that POTUS can do anything that they want.
I can't wait for when the other party takes the WH back and starts doing the same things pulling the country back to the center or left. Just wait to see all of them complaining that the POTUS then would be abusing power, but it was okay for their guy to do it.
-
Patricia Ann Gross
To paraphrase the question: ....so, is this an attempt to show how Christianity helped form the basis for the Constitution -or- is this a Trojan Horse sneaking proselytization and Christian Nationalism into public schools? This is a no-holes-barred Trojan Horse. I can guarantee you that even if it goes into the schools, that the "brand" of Christianity is not the brand that most Christian parents subscribe to. Furthermore, the teachers are not versed in theology, so they have no business turning their lecturn into a pulpit. They went to college to teach children, not preach Sunday School. This toe-hold by the Christian right needs to have its nails clipped (or the toes amputated.) If the parents want a religious rather than secular education, there are many parochial schools that would indoctronate their children in the way they want them indoctrinated.
-
Joseph Grieco
If you want your children to receive a religious education, send them to a school run by a religious group. Public Schools are supposed to be secular institutions of education, not Christian Indoctrination Centers.
-
Rev Ned
Christofascist-Talibanism should be opposed, ALWAYS!!!!
-
Robert Fredrick Boyd II
Separation of Church and State. We must follow our own laws given to us by our elected.
-
Michael S. Russell
The problem is that our elected officials are the ones trying to change us into a Theocracy. The Founding Fathers of America set down our baseline rules to govern ourselves by so as to not follow a path that lead to them fighting for independence in the first place. It wasn't just about taxation without representation just like the American Civil War wasn't just about slavery. You are right: Separation of Church and State!
-
Michael S. Russell
The problem is that our elected officials are the ones trying to change us into a Theocracy. The Founding Fathers of America set down our baseline rules to govern ourselves by so as to not follow a path that lead to them fighting for independence in the first place. It wasn't just about taxation without representation just like the American Civil War wasn't just about slavery. You are right: Separation of Church and State!
-
Michael S. Russell
The problem is that our elected officials are the ones trying to change us into a Theocracy. The Founding Fathers of America set down our baseline rules to govern ourselves by so as to not follow a path that lead to them fighting for independence in the first place. It wasn't just about taxation without representation just like the American Civil War wasn't just about slavery. You are right: Separation of Church and State!
-
Robert Gagnon
The other problem is a sexual and gender based movement is insisting their theory being instilled in children. One teaches morals and personal boundaries, the other total lack thereof.
-
-
-
Matthew Mastrogiovanni
Teaching Christianity in churches isn't working, so why bring it to teachers without degrees in Theology?
-
Patricia Ann Gross
Exactly.
-
ServantOfJudgement
I'll agree with that Matthew, the degree is irrelevant though.
-
-
Timothy C Stone
Thank you to the first 6 commentors. I don't need to add anything to this thread
-
obere mchugh
Having never been, raised christian nor any of the abrahamic faiths, i really do not understand and cannot fathom the reasoning or fear that comes from them in the fact that our modern world is now secular and science based, as it shifted towards in modern times, leave your religion in the church and at home, not in any public or government spaces. I believe, that everytime a government official say's anything about faith, or read's scripture and or interjects religion as an argument within the context of any governmental body they should be fined, as no viewpoint of religion or religious base should be in any way or shape within the context of the government, may be maybe, that would make them rethink interjecting religion if they were fined each and everytime they interjected faith.
-
Robert Gagnon
Lets keep the three R's the main theme in public schools. No bible studies or gender identity indoctrination. Philosophies and social issues shouldn't be studied until late middle through high school. Religion should be studied as a whole from Greek and Roman gods through Judaic, Christian, Muslim in reference to how it shaped societies through the ages. Only in an observational context, not as a factual commodity to be absorbed and adopted. If, and this is theoretical, Christianity were to be studied forcibly, which Christianity? Catholic, Protestant, Greek Orthodox, etc.? Kids can't read or do math, let's concentrate on that and loose all the activist freaks, Christian or gender based.
-
Colleen McAllister
I am opposed to teaching Christian or any other religious tenets in public school. However we need to realize that a vast majority of our ancestors came here so they could openly practice their chosen denomination in public. They were from different sections or types of Christianity, not from a completely different religion such as Muslim, Shinto, Buddhist, etc.
-
Patricia Ann Gross
Colleen, not all of them were Christian. Thomas Jefferson was a theist and did not substribe to the Christian deity. Several of them were "fringe," like Quaker and Mennonite. I'm sure that some were also athiest, because not all professed a particular religion. If freedom of religion only applies to Christians, then the 14th Amendment (Civil Rights/Birth right citizenship) only applies to former slaves and the 2nd amendment (right to bear arms) only applies to muskets and none of the bill of rights have relevance in today's society, nor do many other amendments.
-
-
Brien
Hmm see what happens when you vote religion into politics? Until the current administration gets voted out, you're stuck with what you have. A little over 1/3 of eligible voters actually voted. Everything happening now is your fault. Maybe next time some of you will pay attention at election time, but I doubt it.
-
ServantOfJudgement
Perhaps the Trump voters just don't realize the significance of the passage of time. Especially to a child where the significance of the passage of time is significantly significant.
They don't understand how a yellow school bus that has a USB port in the yellow bus where the kids can significantly spend the passage of time browsing the Internet in a yellow school bus.
Maybe Trump voters just don't get it. I love yellow school buses.
-
-
Asa William Sprague, II
It would seem that our U.S. history has changed. I remember being taught that the Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by the principles found in pre-Christian Greek and Roman societies; among others. It was presented that the Founding Fathers tried to find the best parts of many previous societies to create a new form of government that might endure.
-
ServantOfJudgement
You remember correctly Asa.
-
-
Dylan Tuatha Le Danaan
I believe it was Thomas Paine who said there should be a separation of church and state to keep America from coming apart with wars as Europe and the Middle East had done. So no the United States was not founded as a Christian country.
-
Donald J Rothschild Jr
Correct
-
-
Marylyn (Pepper) Montague
Have they forgotten that many of our ancestors came to America so they could freely practice their religion? Do they think the real God is the one that gets the most followers?
-
Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
No one who was religiously indoctrinated (brainwashed) into one specific religion, or another— ever had, nor ever will, experience “having the freedom of religion” 99% of little naive’ little kiddies, are forced to take on the same religion as their parents — which is not “freedom of religion” when, matter-of-factly it’s clearly child abuse.Read “The Savvy Convert’s Guide for Choosing a Religion” where you can select for yourself the religion, in which you can personally select the religion that gives you “ The est bang for your buck.’
-
Patricia Ann Gross
Bishop Dusenberry,
Some children are abused by religion and parents, I agree, but those children do have freedom of religion once they become adults. Children are coached, cared for, protected, trained, taught, and indoctirnated by their parents, because as children, they have no rights of their own until they reach the age of 18 (or 21 in some cases). They are the parent's responsibility until they are grown or emancipated.
As a child of the 50s/60s everyone thought that the "hippie" movement, which was mostly a protest agains the war in Vietnam, was the beginning of a "moral decay" in this country. While the rise of women's rights, civil rights, and many other changes in society (not to mention the technology revolution that eclipsed the industrial revolution) caused a sociological shift, what we see today is an attempt by the far right to swing the pendulum all the way back to 1950.
-
-
-
Donald J Rothschild Jr
Amazing that a state school superintendent has no idea on the history and founding of this country. Just look at the founding documents. Do you see the word God of Jesus in the US Constitution? NO. While many of the founders had a background in some sect of Christianity, many did so only because it was necessary. Many were Deists. Jefferson even removed any mention of miracles or supernatural wordings from the Bible and created the Jefferson Bible. And the quote that Paula posted is from the US Treaty with Tripoli.
-
Reverend Paula Copp
America is not now, nor has it ever been, a “christian” nation! The founders were very clear on that. If we allow christianity into the public schools, then we are allowing a key component of the foundation of this country to crumble. Religion does NOT belong in public schools.
-
Alexander Clarke
Just think of the uproar if it were Judaism or Muslim or Hinduism, what the uproar would be.
-
-
Michael Arthur Lueras
"Let there be no compulsion used in Religion..." (Quran 2:256) This Infidel from Oklahoma Ryan Walters is trying to FORCE his Religious beliefs on others and he wants to use State power to do it. What Ryan Walters wants to do is ILLEGAL under The Constitution of The U.S.A. which DEMANDS a SEPARATION of The Church (any Church) and The State (any State). What Ryan Walters wants to do in Oklahoma is a REPUDIATION of what Jesus said regarding this issue 2000 years ago: "Render unto Caesar what is his and unto God what is His." (Jesus in Mark 21:16) The Concept of a SEPARATION between Religion and Government was not invented by The Founding Fathers (most of whom were Racists and/or Slave Owners) but instead by Jesus who was HIGHLY PRAISED by Allah in The Quran: "...he will be highly honored in this world and in Heaven and he will be among those favored by God..." (Quran 3:45-49) But Ryan Walters will find out in this world and in The After Life what Allah thinks about those who try to force their Religious Beliefs on others: "I will fill Hell with jinn and humans all - a multitude from every community." (Quran 11:119) Amen?
-
Alexander Clarke
All religions are about control. Control what you think, say, do and to separate you from your wealth. All religions preach that they are the one and only way to salvation and all other religions are blasphemy. Far more important than freedom OF religion is freedom FROM religion!
-
-
John P Maher
SUE THE CREEP TILL HIS EYEBALLS FALL OUT THEN STEP ON THEM, MAYBE THEN HE WILL UNDERSTAND< WHAT F<
-
Bond Wright
Brother Maher: Such an appropriate evaluation to someone who is actively. aggressively, acting to get mind control over our children. Thanks you. Rev. Wright
-
It's simple, this goes against Constitutional Law.
Unfortunately, that has little relevnace these days. SCOTUS is capitulating to POTUS. No such thing as a balance of power exists any more, especially with a Repub House and Senate majority that is scared to death of crossing POTUS. OBBB only passed the Senate with a tie-breaker by the VP, and passed the house with 100 percent of Democrats opposing, and all except two Repubs with a yes vote.