Why are Oklahoma public schools ordering Bible study? | Cuomo

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is mandating public school teachers use the Bible in classrooms.
"We knew that we needed to include the Bible directly into the classroom so that kids understood the full historical context of its role in American history," said Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters on NewsNation's "CUOMO."
Harvard law Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz also weighed in, pressing Walters to say "which Bible" will be used and asking if other religious texts will be studied.
#bible #oklahoma #cuomo
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[@myleshuckabay2178]

Never should religion be in schools how ignorant is that.

[@danielgc1970]

That's actually an ignorant statement.

[@nicob2063]

Hey superintendent: It is not clear. You are using this as a loop hole to integrate religion into the PUBLIC SCHOOL classroom. If a history teacher (I would like to know who they are) really needs to do a bible study to talk about the letters of MLK JR then I am not sure they are teaching History, but religion. If a teacher really feels this is essential to instruction of history, then have parents sign a signature allowing for such a discussion to occur. Again - this is a loop hole for you to incorporate religion into the classroom. As an educator this makes NO SENSE and shame on you, superintendent. shame.on.you!

[@gracielynn9623]

I want to start off by saying that I am a Republican. This is not OK. I am a Republican with no religious affiliation. Telling people what religion to support or to not support any at all is not OK. I grew up in the state of Alabama. I graduated high school recently. We were able to be successfully taught history and about all of the various religions without having a physical copy of the Bible, the 10 Commandments, the Quran, the Torah, or any other religious text actually present. This is political and this is indoctrination. It’s not OK.

[@Wolfcamp555]

So what's wrong with indoctrinating kids with morality? I must have missed that part.

[@gracielynn9623]

@@Wolfcamp555 the issue is that everyone has the right to choose their own religion. Children are impressionable on literally anything. It is not a publicly funded schools job to provide texts of one religious text and not another. There is not enough time in school to explain the full text of every different religions text. We have a separation of church and state. You can teach morality without teaching religion.

[@Wolfcamp555]

@@gracielynn9623 the issue is society has tried it that way for 60+ years and it failed. Nah, it's time to move on from that. Conservatism will take over now. Liberalism has been relieved of duty.

[@gracielynn9623]

@@Wolfcamp555 i’m not a liberal and I do not support liberalism. It’s not OK. What about the Buddhist, the Hindus, the Jews, the protestants, all the other people that attend our public schools? This is not a religious country. This is a free country. We cannot force and should not force religion on children. That is a personal decision for your family. I am assuming that you are Christian. Your family chose to be Christian. How would it make you feel if the school was forcing you to be Jewish? That is what putting these Bibles in these classrooms would be doing.

[@Wolfcamp555]

@@gracielynn9623 no, I'm an infedel. In God We Trust is the National Motto whether you or I like it or not. "God" only applies to religions that worship the God of Abraham. Only Judaism, Christianity, and Islam worships God. No other Gods before me means all other religions aren't allowed. Until that changes, so it will be.

[@tobicoleman6769]

JUST SO YOU KNOW...THEY DIDN"T ASK PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA!!!! Oklahomans DO NOT all back or support this nonsense!

[@danielgc1970]

This country is not based on unanimous votes.

[@helencollier5317]

I do because they would be taught Greek and Latin. The Torah is the first five books of the Bible. So, it would taught too.

[@calebcooks8497]

America was not found as Christian nation

[@karenchellquist6454]

What kind of scholarship is Superintendent Walters promoting? He asks where did Jefferson come up with the phrase "endowed by our Creator." Seems the Superintendent is advocating pick & choose to defend your position. Does he not know it was President Thomas Jefferson who strongly believed in "separation of church and state", his phrase not the wording in the Constitution. Does the Superintendent not know that President Jefferson wrote his own version of the Bible, for his own reflection, excluding most of the miracles of Jesus and references to Jesus as divine. Does he not know that Jefferson is often characterized as a founding father who leaned towards Deism. If so Superintendent, read up on it, you may find an answer to your question "Where did Jefferson come up with...?" and you might learn how he viewed the Creator.

[@brennajames7497]

Both my kids just graduated from high school in Oklahoma. Wow am I ever happy for that! My kids won't have to endure the shit show this is creating. I feel sorry for the teachers and school officials in our state right now. I would certainly have pulled my kids fro public school as I'm sure many parents will.

[@weewhorobin8202]

I’m a Christian and I’m totally against this. It’s the families responsibility to teach, not the schools. You really don’t know what they will end up learning. 🤷‍♀️

[@rensinclair4218]

Facts. They'll learn facts

[@heathermuffins]

@@rensinclair4218I can’t wait to see Catholics and Baptists duking it out in the classroom over whether or not praying to Mary is idolatry. There are probably hundreds of denominations of Christianity in Oklahoma with their own beliefs about the Bible. You can’t train teachers to cater to all of them, therefore nobody’s beliefs are being honored. It’s all a load of BS, Walters doesn’t care about anything but advancing his career by appealing to the far right. He didn’t hold any of these opinions just a few years ago.

[@bodystomp5302]

@@rensinclair4218this is laughably stupid.

[@chadmccoy8032]

Imagine a teacher who is Baptist teaching about gifts of the Holy Spirit. I’m guessing Pentecostal parents aren’t going to like what she says.

[@Lotusflower970]

Very true very true

[@Lotusflower970]

What about wicca? Wicca says harm none!!

[@louisianarainwater]

💚💚💚

[@throughhellback3931]

try teaching kids SKILLS so they can succeed, not CRAP!!! Thanks!!!

[@brennajames7497]

He's lieing when he said they asked the public. I live in Oklahoma and have kids. This is the first I have heard of this subject.

[@chadmccoy8032]

FOOL!! This is going to cause all kinds of confusion.

[@Lotusflower970]

Sad and disgusting. Where is freedom of religion . Where is seperation of church and state?

[@queredknight]

Why not take all the other religions out of schools?

[@ericreid8111]

Because america was established with the beliefs of the bible engrained. "In God We Trust". Additionally, other religious texts are included. Why didnt you complain when taught about the 5 pillars of Islam in North Carolina middle school?

[@pcb462]

@@ericreid8111in god we trust was added in the 50’s as propaganda to use against the Soviets, who were atheist. Do your research.

[@Lotusflower970]

@@ericreid8111 i would have if I had known. I don’t believe any religious text should be taught at school until highschool and it should be world religions all religions not just specific ones. In God we trust can be open for any religion.

[@IGORGOUZENKO22]

God n the constitution Don't mean jesus the founders weren't Chrisians ​@@ericreid8111

[@Oklaoz]

I know him personally. Walters is a corrupt opportunist.

[@catherinewilliams9680]

I don't want a teacher teaching my child about a book that contains scenes involving incest, fratricide, mass murder of children , along with dozens of stories depicting violence towards women.

[@layshad7577]

I remember when they funded schools and taught kids things like, home economics, wood work, metal work, and finances. Things that they actually need. Now they take away the funding and don't even want to feed them.

[@kellygarin8919]

Go to a religious school!

[@kellykramer7629]

The conspiratorial part of me thinks this is a way to make public schools so intolerable parents pull their kids out and put them in private and charter schools…also something the right wants.

[@bittersweet2253]

Wow😮he sure triggered the demons in Alan, the hatred in his facial expression more noticeably apparent since they muted his mic.

[@gracielynn9623]

Yeah, Alan Dershowitz reaction was a little bit over-the-top. It’s well known I believe that he is Jewish. I can completely understand why he does not want the Bible taught in the classrooms. But he’s also been an advocate that Jewish religious text and Jewish interpretation should also not be in the classroom so at least he’s been consistent. I can’t say I disagree with him.

[@user-vd2jk7dl3p]

Why not include the Torah? This questions is exibit A for why this study is needed..... the Torah is IN the Bible

[@black_nerdy]

Torah is the Jewish interpretation of the old testament but the same as the Bible.

[@danielgc1970]

He said they do include that. Listen again.

[@JCS_fan]

If you want your child to learn about the Bible, send them to private school like everyone else ffs. Forcing everyone to read this religious text under the guise of it being necessary in a historical context is disgusting. Just look at how embarrassing and poorly run public education is in Oklahoma - this is the LAST thing they should be prioritizing. OK already has a teacher shortage and this is not going to make it any better.

[@DaddyThoj72]

I don't think the young guy knows what he is doing. If he have schools teach the bible there will be no teachers to teach and parents who is not religious will not let their kids go to school. The professor is right.

[@itsjustme6632]

" The United States is in no sense founded on the Christian religion. " Treaty of Tripoli. Signed unanimously by Congress.

[@BenWilson24]

First person he mentions is Thomas Jefferson, who literally had a Bible that he cut out all of the references to anything supernatural in it. Then there is Ben Franklin: 'Lighthouses are more useful than churches.' A lot of the founders were trying to separate church and state and weren't a fan of the traditional church. There should be freedom of religion, but there should never be a state-sponsored religion. End of story. If his point is that he wants to reference the Bible in history with respect to how it influenced people, then he'd better be advocating for all of the quotes against the church from the founding fathers too. And highlight the Salem witch trials

[@josephdigiorgio]

Wow they're teaching the Quran in oklahoma?

[@rubegoldburg7841]

NO, he is UTTERING BS.

[@danielgc1970]

They're not teaching the Bible either. Listen more carefully.

[@catherinewilliams9680]

If you want to discuss the bible as a historical text, then it should only be taught in history classes, not math, not science. Not to classes that don't normally include history lesson.

[@dionnegreenwood957]

Bullshit

[@jackforbesjr7052]

Make sure you teach the epic of Gilgamesh while you pukes are at it!!

[@leeishere7448]

49th to 50th in education.

[@gracielynn9623]

Do we need a Bible present and the 10 Commandments on the wall to say that in God we trust came from the Bible? It’s unnecessary. I went to high school in a very conservative state. I am very conservative myself. And our history class we learned about Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and any other religion that I am currently forgetting off the top of my head and how they affected historical events from thousands years ago to last decade. You don’t actually need the physical copies of any of these books present and forced down peoples throats to successfully and appropriately teach history. If that’s what you want then go to a private religious school.

[@DominusHydra40k]

Bullshit. Nobody taught Islam in America lol😂

[@M98747]

Referencing how the Bible was an important document to people in US history isn't forcing it down anyone's throat. It's studying history in the context in which it happened. If you're studying where MLK Jr. got his ideas, a student should be able to see the source document.

[@gracielynn9623]

@@DominusHydra40k in most states, it is required in basic high school history classes that all students have a basic understanding of Islam, along with every other religion. We are not top with the Quran says, but we are taught about how the religion was founded and who its leaders are.

[@DominusHydra40k]

@@gracielynn9623 bullshit 😂

[@gracielynn9623]

@@DominusHydra40k mate I just graduated high school less than three years ago. It’s what we were taught. It’s what is mandated that we be taught now. My apologies if you’re upset that you were not taught that in high school in the 1980s.

[@closertothetruth9209]

he says he loves the bible yet doesnt believe it

[@rensinclair4218]

Excuse you?

[@chadmccoy8032]

I don’t believe in it, but it doesn’t mean I don’t think it’s rich, meaningful and powerful. You can love something that you don’t believe to be true. Either way, the Bible does not belong in classrooms.

[@shariheath6703]

Will they have CATHOLIC bibles in classrooms?

[@alexamerling79]

Walter is a psychopath.

[@SwissKnife-vh9xx]

Oklahoma is a weird state

[@rubegoldburg7841]

As well as the ENTIRE set of Southern States.

[@Funnybriton]

Has to be the King James. As that was the text that was being referenced by those historical figures.

[@dessy87]

Are they really ready for that move? Going to have fun trying to explain that this book is about blacks and how NOTHING can not be studied and EVERYTHING must be explained in this book, including how back than they married cousins and even how majority of this book took place in Africa and how do you explain that with history class with slavery. 😂 I'm so ready for my kid to ask questions. Especially if you have kids going to school cross dressing with this book....the parents are going to flip. I'm sitting back watching now. Remember Oklahoma, some parents are biblical schooled and have thier degrees in this so it better be correctly taught. Black people, we have a book now! Whoop-whoop! Spread the message. I hope the school district is ready. A hard plus is that now we get to question why the certain books were taken out: Book of Enoch, Dan, Jasher, Jubilee, etc. The study of all those books is a partt of historical knowledge. Im not questioning Yahuah in any way, im questioning mans evil deeds of why they think its okay to remove what Yahuah has set in place to be, yet man thinks they are over Yahuah to remove doctrine. I'm so ready for this. BRING IT ON! * Now heres some food for thought: Oklahoma might be on to something here, that great migration of Californians and upstate movers to the south: Texas to be exact is probably promting them, Oklahoma, to realize if they dont want their state to have "differences" around their state and children than teaching the bible is a great move to have those migrating to bypass thier state due to this bible requirement. Hey, it's just a thought, I could be wrong.* I'm all for the HOLY WORD to be taught CORRECTLY! Let's hope you all do that accurately.

[@AaronTheAnarchist]

Religion shouldn’t be in school! Don’t teach children religious view or commandments to follow!

[@Nanaof_8]

As long as its historical context ONLY. Try real hard not to brain wash the kids like my gen was

[@helencollier5317]

The very famous law professor doesn't know the Bible very good. God, nor Jesus ever condoned slavery. We we all endowed with freedom and free will. So!

[@WarriorOfWriters]

Exodus 21:20 And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished. 21 Notwithstanding, if he remains alive a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he is his property.

[@Psalm1101]

The bible means bible old and new testament. Hope is is truth

[@am_evil]

To know islam is the wrong way

[@mormonobserver]

Do you even know anything about Islam? I spent 3 years studying it. It is right in so many ways.

[@am_evil]

@@mormonobserver when Muslims came and said Muhammad was the last prophet of the Jewish prophets and the Koran was the perfection of the Torah & Gospel. then I can easily prove Islam is a liar without taking 3 years

[@TrysNorton]

Fucking love that!!!!

[@ericreid8111]

Why? To piss off the rainbow coalition

[@jenjaxskye]

There’s nothing more American than the phrase, “In God We Trust”. Where is this text came from? BIBLE. Amen. ✝️🙏🏼

[@gracielynn9623]

Do we need a Bible present and the 10 Commandments on the wall to say that in God we trust came from the Bible? It’s unnecessary. I went to high school in a very conservative state. I am very conservative myself. And our history class we learned about Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and any other religion that I am currently forgetting off the top of my head and how they affected historical events from thousands years ago to last decade. You don’t actually need the physical copies of any of these books present and forced down peoples throats to successfully and appropriately teach history. If that’s what you want then go to a private religious school.

[@Wolfcamp555]

The God of Abraham, Jews, Christians and Muslims. In Allah You Trust.

[@Wolfcamp555]

God and Allah are the same. In Allah You Trust.

[@Wolfcamp555]

​@@gracielynn9623none of those other religions count because they don't trust in God/Allah.

[@zacharyshort384]

I mean, the Forefathers and founding documents are pretty Amrerican. The original moto of the USA was actually "Out of many, one.” It was *later changed* to "in God We Trust" by Christians. The Founding Fathers would have likely taken issue with that ;)

[@shaf60]

Because we are getting closer to end of times .

[@popweaselcrunch]

😂religious fanatics have been saying that for two thousand years😂

[@rubegoldburg7841]

​@@popweaselcrunchIt's UTTER BS they keep playing in a LOOP.

[@Pacifica74]

You have to agree that there's just something about the God of the bible that immediately makes the fangs come out. It's the most persecuted book. Most movies use God as a curse word as well as people in their daily lives. That's because no person wants to have their Creator rule over them. They don't want to be accountable to Him.

[@sldrock]

Truth is truth.

[@beachcomber3036]

RUN!!!🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️🏃 SPELL BIBLE 🏃‍➡️🏃‍♂️‍➡️🏃‍♂️‍➡️🏃‍➡️🏃‍♂️‍➡️RUN!!!

[@christianfriend7133]

Only reason some reject the idea of Bible teaching in school is because they are lost sheep without a shepherd and they want to pull their children down with them. They are afraid if the Truth is given to children, they will not approve of their godless behavior. There has always been and always will be those who don't believe and reject God and feel empty inside, they want their children to avoid the teachings of God, so they won't be alone in the emptiness. For most people rejecting he Bible, they have never read it, yet in their darkest time, they will turn to it.

[@Norcaldaddy]

God had nothing to do with the Bible. The Bible is a man made text that was copied from older religions. 😂

[@Lotusflower970]

No some ppl don’t want their children taught hate and told they will go to hell. Some religions teach their children accountability not that some devil made them do it. Religious teachings are the responsibility of a parent to a certain age not the school, government or a nosy neighbor. Not everyone believes in a devil or eternal burning of hell. The God of the bible sounds evil and cruel and not all ppl tell their children these evil teachings

[@Norcaldaddy]

@@Lotusflower970 💯👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@RC-sv7mt]

So much hate from a man of “god”

[@bodystomp5302]

@@RC-sv7mtalways.

[@Spread-the-Word]

I support you Oklahoma Apart from having great morals that transcend time, it is first the best selling historical account of all time.

[@rensinclair4218]

Grow up

[@heathermuffins]

If you’ve got Pentacostals, Mormons, Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, Church of Christ, Lutherans, etc all attending public schools, you don’t think some of them are going to disagree about HOW the Bible is being taught? It’s insane to try to teach religion in school this way. That’s why we have religious schools for each denomination. It’s not simply about Christians vs. everyone else. There’s more than one kind of Christianity, too. Which is why the founders of this nation said there would be no official state religion.

[@13orrax]

SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

[@mormonobserver]

No such thing. The Ten Commandments are the basis of our laws. Remove them you remove the Bible.

[@DominusHydra40k]

I'm glad common sense is starting to take hold again.

[@rensinclair4218]

Literally not common sense

[@danielgc1970]

Well said superintendent.

[@sldrock]

Years ago, the liberals said. Equal time for evolution. Now they say no time for creation or the Bible. Bring back the Bible in our schools.

[@nicob2063]

The first amendment of the US constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (...) this is in clear violation of this.

[@black_nerdy]

Let me guess dinosaur bones are the work of the devil

[@CattleDog2856]

Creation would be fine in a religious class, or maybe a course on fairy tales. Evolution is a fact. Religion is a delusion

[@popweaselcrunch]

Groomer.

[@sldrock]

​@@black_nerdy Oh, brother.'

[@DominusHydra40k]

The only version. The King James Version

[@queredknight]

King James authorized version

[@beyondcompassion007]

The original King James Version has been changed quite a bit over the years. You’re probably thinking of the revised standard edition from the mid 1800’s. I have a copy of the original KJV and the letter “j” didn’t exist yet. It also has 80 books, a prayer calendar, and a lot of other useful tables and charts (like how to calculate Easter forever). If you want to get closer to the original KJV find an “Authorized “ edition. To be able to read the original you have to find a 1611 edition but be warned, the spelling is wonky.

[@queredknight]

@@beyondcompassion007 I’m 57 and I grew up with it.

[@queredknight]

@@beyondcompassion007 I also have my grandmothers king James Bible from 1937. There is no difference.

[@beyondcompassion007]

@@queredknight if your Bible has the letter “j” in it then it isn’t the original KJV. Plain and simple. That’s like when people say the Jewish Bible and the Old Testament are the same, they are not, as the Jewish Bible is different than our Old Testament.

[@danieldanfoxworth9528]

The original idea of public education was so that everyone could read The Holy Bible. Individual access to The Word of God is still vital to understand the will of God in ones personal life, in understanding history and in satisfying societies need for responsible citizens.

[@rensinclair4218]

That's incredibly childish

[@bodystomp5302]

Bullshit.

[@karenchellquist6454]

When and where original, Mr. Daniel are you speaking of? In US? If so, NOT everyone. The earliest schools were private, tuition based and geared to the sons of landed gentry who were bound for the earliest colleges here in the US. Girls were generally educated by tutors in the home, again by families wealthy enough to hire tutors. Reading of the Bible was likely taught at home and in church. Jefferson and other founding fathers talked about a public school system, but it didn't materialize until decades later.

[@danieldanfoxworth9528]

@@karenchellquist6454 Notice that I said :PUBLICALLY FUNDED. I still support the idea of parents guiding their child's education. This forum makes it completely obvious that school vouchers are the answer to this question.

[@rondajefferson729]

God is coming back SOON!!!

[@CattleDog2856]

God is dead

[@popweaselcrunch]

Praise hail Satan.

[@rensinclair4218]

Useless, childish adults

[@rondajefferson729]

@@rensinclair4218 YOU ARE VERY VERY IGNORANT!!!!

[@Lotusflower970]

Hes here. The God and Goddess are here and in every thing

[@mormonobserver]

PRAISE GOD!!!