G.E. Nordell's
State of Oklahoma
Page of Shame

The First Amendment
is null and void
in the State of Oklahoma

Working Minds / Action / U.S. Constitution
Working Minds / Action / First Amendment

        SHAME June 2024: Oklahoma state Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters ordered schools to teach the the Xian Bible and the Ten Commandments by incorporating the 'foundational historical text' into lessons for grades 5 through 12. The order says that adherence to the mandate is compulsory and 'immediate and strict compliance is expected'.
Oklahoma law already explicitly allows Xian Bibles in the classroom and lets teachers use them in instruction.

        The new directive drew immediate condemnation from civil rights groups and supporters of the separation of church & state, with some calling it an abuse of power and a violation of the U.S. Constitution. "Public schools are not Sunday schools," said Rachel Laser, president & CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State [est. 1947], in a statement.

        The order from Superintendent Walters states that "The Bible is a necessary historical document to teach our kids about the history of this country, to have a complete understanding of Western civilization, [and] to have an understanding of the basis of our legal system."

        COMMENT June 2024: This Page of Shame will be revised when Oklahoma's policy order is changed to give the Qu'ran and other sacred scripture texts
are given equal weight as 'foundational historical texts'.

Okay, now you can go to the
Oklahoma Travel & Business Links Page

top of this page  •  back to G.E. Nordell's homepage