Edmond, Oklahoma: New Office for Religious Freedom Announced by Education Superintendent
In a recent move that has drawn considerable attention, Oklahoma’s education superintendent, Ryan Walters, has announced the creation of a new Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism. This announcement, made on Wednesday, was followed by an email sent to public school superintendents across the state on Thursday, requiring them to show a video announcement to all students.
Details of the Announcement
According to the email, this video must be played for every student enrolled in Oklahoma schools. Additionally, school districts were instructed to share the video with parents to ensure they are informed about the new department. In the video, Walters emphasizes that religious liberty is under attack and asserts that “woke teachers unions” have mocked patriotism.
During the video, Walters also offered a prayer for U.S. leaders and specifically mentioned praying, “for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change to the country.” He clarified that participation in the prayer is not mandatory for students. The aim of this newly established department is to “oversee the investigation of abuses to individual religious freedom or displays of patriotism.”
School District Reactions
Some of the state’s largest school districts, including Edmond and Bixby, have publicly stated that they do not plan to show the video to their students. Officials from the Tulsa district, which is the largest in the state, did not provide a comment when contacted. Similarly, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma City district, the second largest, mentioned that district officials would meet to discuss the implications of Walters’ mandate.
Legal Concerns
The response to Walters’ directive has not been entirely positive. The office of state Attorney General Gentner Drummond released a statement on Friday asserting that Walters lacks the authority, as defined by state law, to issue such mandates. The statement characterized the edict as “unenforceable” and contrary to rights that belong to parents and local authorities.
Previous Controversies
This latest announcement comes on the heels of two lawsuits filed against Walters concerning a previous mandate issued in June. That mandate required schools to integrate the Bible into lesson plans for students from grades 5 to 12. School districts have indicated a willingness to challenge this request, saying they would not comply with the directive.
Moreover, some legal challenges highlighted concerns regarding the initial proposal to purchase Bibles, which appeared to be aligned with those endorsed by Trump. Reports also revealed that these Bibles, priced at $59.99, would generate significant profit despite being printed in China for just a few dollars.
Despite these controversies, Walters has moved forward with his plans. He announced earlier this week that he has ordered over 500 “God Bless the USA Bibles” for Advanced Placement government classes, spending around $25,000 on this order. The Bibles are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
About Ryan Walters
Walters, who was elected as Oklahoma’s education superintendent in 2022, has made a name for himself by running on a platform aimed at combating what he identifies as “woke ideology.” His agenda includes banning specific books from school libraries and removing individuals he considers “radical leftists” from classrooms. These policies reflect a significant shift in the state’s educational landscape and have stirred ongoing debates about educational freedom and parental rights.
This newly created department, along with Walters’ initiatives, continues to raise questions about the intersection of education, religion, and politics in Oklahoma. It remains to be seen how school districts will respond to these developments and what impact they will have on Oklahoma’s educational environment.
