Oklahoma Education Department Ends Bible Mandate
- mike33692
- 1 hour ago
- 1 min read
The Oklahoma Department of Education
announced it will not continue the previous administration’s policy requiring Bibles in classrooms statewide.
Superintendent Lindel Fields made the decision following a directive from the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which ordered him to determine whether the mandate would remain in effect. The rule was originally issued by former superintendent Ryan Walters in 2024 and quickly faced legal challenges.
Court order forces a decision
The Oklahoma Supreme Court intervened after civil rights groups and parents filed a lawsuit claiming the policy violated students’ First Amendment rights. The case argued that forcing public schools to display or use the Bible as instructional material blurred the line between religion and state.
Fields said he reviewed the policy and concluded that continuing it would “divert focus from core education priorities.” His decision effectively ends one of the most controversial mandates ever imposed by the department.
Legal and community reaction
Civil rights advocates praised the move, saying it restores fairness and neutrality in Oklahoma classrooms. Meanwhile, supporters of Walters’ policy expressed disappointment.
Religious freedom attorney Melissa Hart said, “Ending this mandate protects students of all faiths — or no faith — from government-imposed religion.”
The lawsuit challenging the original mandate remains active in court, though officials expect it will be dismissed following Fields’ decision.
With the ruling now clear, local school districts can resume normal curriculum planning without fear of violating state policy.