Bible must be taught in Oklahoma

[trottigy]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2024/06/27/bible-oklahoma-ryan-walters/74236037007/

 

Quote

The superintendent of Oklahoma schools ordered districts statewide Thursday to incorporate the Bible “as an instructional support into the curriculum" for grades 5 through 12, citing its importance as a historical document.

 

“Adherence to this mandate is compulsory,” wrote Superintendent Ryan Walters. “Further instructions for monitoring and reporting on this implementation for the 2024/25 school year will be forthcoming. Immediate and strict compliance is expected.”

 

One day SOON the Bible WILL really be taught in every school. 

 

 

[Mike047]

Would be interesting to know how they intend to use it, and whether other religious groups make a challenge for their own books to be included too. I understand that most Oklahoman's are either Southern Baptist, Churches of Christ, Methodist or Pentecostal.

[Sheep]

4 hours ago, Mike047 said:

. . . whether other religious groups make a challenge for their own books to be included too.

I wondered that too. Besides the Bible, would they also have the Qur'an, the Book of Mormon, the Apocrypha, the Four Vedas, the Tripitaka, the Tao Te Ching, the Analects of Confucius, the Dhammapada, etc............. They would need equal time, wouldn't they? Oh, and how about if atheists chime in and demand that all religious texts be removed from the schools? In fact, some atheists have already tried similar tactics...

Edited July 27 by Sheep

[1MKnight]

19 hours ago, Sheep said:

I wondered that too. Besides the Bible, would they also have the Qur'an, the Book of Mormon, the Apocrypha, the Four Vedas, the Tripitaka, the Tao Te Ching, the Analects of Confucius, the Dhammapada, etc............. They would need equal time, wouldn't they? Oh, and how about if atheists chime in and demand that all religious texts be removed from the schools? In fact, some atheists have already tried similar tactics...

 

Ooh, and don't forget the book Dianetics! 

 

But in all seriousness, the way the quote Jerry posted worded it makes it seem that their using the Bible because of it's historical significance. To me, that means historical significance in the US. The Four Vedas is not historically significant in the US. 

 

EDIT: here's a quote from the article

Walters called the Bible “one of the most historically significant books and a cornerstone of Western civilization, along with the Ten Commandments."

"They will be referenced as an appropriate study of history, civilization, ethics, comparative religion, or the like, as well as for their substantial influence on our nation’s founders and the foundational principles of our Constitution,"

 

The argument is that the Bible is critically important context needed to understand American government and culture. But very likely IMO going to be used to reinforce religious ideals as well. 

Edited July 28 by 1MKnight

[Pabo]

I would like to use this Bible versions

 

 

 

 

My wife would like to use this Bible as well.

 

 

 

 

 

[Parale]

On 7/27/2024 at 4:15 PM, trottigy said:

The superintendent of Oklahoma schools

 

FWIW last year....

 

Oklahoma ranked 50th worst state for education, new study reports

https://eu.oklahoman.com/story/news/education/2023/07/28/oklahoma-schools-ranked-worst-education-wallethub-study/70486805007/

 

(New Mexico was bottom, at 51st)

[1MKnight]

Hmm, so if I get a job as a teacher there: can I count my pioneer time? 😂 

[trottigy]

The latest article I saw concluded this way:

 

Quote

A Christian himself, Miller also believes the new guidelines belittle his faith, saying “the idea of diminishing the Word of God to a mere classroom prop is a little revulsive to me.”

Will teachers obey the Oklahoma Bible mandate?

So, Miller and Bixby’s public educators will start the semester separate from the new standards.

 

“The Oklahoma Supreme Court was very clear a few months ago in saying that local boards of education have the authority to choose curricular resources for teachers,” Miller added. “And we’ll continue to teach the academic standards as we have.”

 

Miller may not be alone. As of July 19, according to NewsNation affiliate KFOR‘s reporting, no school districts in Oklahoma have said they will obey Walters’ mandate.

https://www-newsnationnow-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/education/oklahoma-bible-mandate-education/amp/?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQGsAEggAID#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=17237319026826&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsnationnow.com%2Fus-news%2Feducation%2Foklahoma-bible-mandate-education%2F

 

[Parale]

1 hour ago, trottigy said:

The latest article I saw concluded this way:

 

TBH there's a lot more going on with OK's state Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters - a partisan elected office.... and the Bible mandate is just part of it....

 

Republican House members ask House speaker to investigate Ryan Walters — but speaker declines

The Oklahoman

https://oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/government/2024/08/13/ryan-walters-impeachment-investigation-gop-lawmakers-speaker-house/74779118007/

 

Several House Republicans call for impeachment investigation into Walters

Oklahoma Voice

https://oklahomavoice.com/2024/08/13/house-republicans-call-for-impeachment-investigation-into-walters/

 

And FWIW you may like to try the following internet searches....

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=Oklahoma+education+rankings+2024

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=Oklahoma+literacy+rate

 

Edited August 15 by Parale