Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is planning to reissue its request for proposals (RFP) to find a supplier for Bibles, despite facing an ongoing lawsuit. The controversy began when State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced in September 2023 that he intended to spend $6 million in less than two years to buy Bibles for every classroom in Oklahoma.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy over the Bible purchase in Oklahoma schools began when Walters made a public announcement about wanting to place Bibles in every classroom across the state. Walters claimed that the $6 million initiative was necessary to ensure the Bible was not excluded from Oklahoma schools.
In September 2023, OSDE issued an official RFP that outlined its plan to buy Bibles. The request stated that the Bibles must be the King James version and include several important U.S. documents, including the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
However, very few Bibles met these specific requirements. The only Bible that fit this description was the “God Bless the USA Bible,” which was endorsed and sold by former President Donald Trump.
Lawsuit Filed Against OSDE
Soon after the RFP was issued, a group of 32 parents, teachers, and faith leaders filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that the initiative was unconstitutional. The lawsuit claimed that this move violated the separation of church and state, a principle that prohibits the government from favoring one religion over others.
The plaintiffs, including Erika Wright, one of the parents involved, argued that the plan went against the Oklahoma Constitution and was an attempt to force a religious agenda on public school students.
In the face of this legal challenge, the OSDE canceled the original RFP and stopped seeking bids for Bible purchases. This raised questions about whether the lawsuit was still necessary, given that the RFP had been canceled.
New Developments: Re-Issuing the RFP
However, this week, it was revealed that OSDE is moving forward with a new RFP to purchase Bibles. In a recent court filing, the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), the agency that handles state contracts, informed the court that a new request had been issued. This new RFP continues to seek Bibles that match the specific requirements, including the King James version along with the U.S. documents.
The new development means that the lawsuit is still moving forward. The plaintiffs continue to argue that the state’s decision to buy and place Bibles in public school classrooms is unconstitutional.
Criticism from Oklahoma Lawmakers
Former Oklahoma State Representative Mark McBride expressed his disapproval of the move. McBride, who served as the chair of the House Education Committee until November 2023, criticized the decision to reissue the RFP. He called it a “sad day for Oklahoma” and questioned the necessity of the Bible purchase.
McBride also expressed doubts about where the $6 million for the initiative would come from. He questioned whether the Oklahoma legislature would approve such an expense. According to McBride, the money should be spent on more educational resources like history books and English textbooks rather than Bibles.
The former legislator also raised concerns about the rise of “Christian nationalism” in Oklahoma politics and emphasized that education should focus on academic subjects, not religious content.
Response from Advocates for Separation of Church and State
The group suing OSDE, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, continues to oppose the Bible purchase plan. They argue that it violates the principle of keeping religion out of public schools. The group remains determined to challenge the initiative in court and prevent the state from using taxpayer money to buy Bibles for classrooms.
What’s Next?
As the lawsuit continues, it remains unclear how the court will ultimately rule on this issue. For now, OSDE’s plan to buy thousands of Bibles for Oklahoma schools is still in motion, and the controversy is likely to continue as the legal proceedings unfold.
Many Oklahoma residents are divided on the issue, with some supporting the move as a way to bring religious values into public schools, while others argue that it’s a violation of the separation between church and state.
(Source : newsbreak.com)
