In Oklahoma City, a local lawmaker is hopeful that the House’s new leadership will rally behind his renewed effort to place the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.
Efforts to Legislate Religious Texts in Schools
Republican Representative Jim Olsen has reintroduced House Bill 1006, which seeks to require all public school classrooms across Oklahoma to prominently display either a framed copy or a poster of the Ten Commandments.
This move aligns with the state’s educational leaders advocating for a greater inclusion of Biblical texts in the academic environment.
Olsen emphasizes that the Ten Commandments hold historical significance for the nation, claiming they are essential for conveying an accurate portrayal of American history to students.
He believes that these commandments were integral to shaping the values held by the nation’s founders and, thus, deserve inclusion in educational programs.
Legal Precedents and Challenges
Oklahoma isn’t alone in this pursuit; Louisiana has enacted a similar law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
However, implementation in five school districts there faced obstacles after a federal court ruled the law unconstitutional due to its religious connotation.
In the past, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered the removal of a Ten Commandments statue from the state Capitol, stating that it violated state law.
Furthermore, Oklahoma voters reinforced a constitutional ban on public funding for religious activities just a year later.
Despite the legal hurdles and previous court decisions regarding this issue in Oklahoma, Olsen remains hopeful about his bill’s legal standing.
He cites recent rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court, particularly a case in 2022 where the Court sided with a high school coach who prayed with his players—signaling a shift from the long-standing Lemon test, which has typically been used to assess the divide between church and state.
Support and Opposition
This year, Olsen’s bill must gain more traction than it did in the prior legislative session, where he met with disappointment after the House education appropriations committee, led by Rep. Mark McBride, did not grant his proposal a hearing.
Since then, McBride has served his term limit and left his position.
Olsen feels cautiously optimistic about garnering support from the new leadership in the House. Rep. Chad Caldwell, the current chair, has indicated it’s too soon to say whether the bill will be reviewed; he hasn’t yet evaluated the legislation, nor has it been assigned to any committee.
Previously, State Superintendent Ryan Walters backed the bill, declaring the Ten Commandments as a pivotal historical document for the country.
He further mandated that every public school keep a Bible in each classroom and has encouraged the incorporation of Biblical content into lesson plans.
However, some district officials are pushing back against this directive, and legal battles are in progress.
Walters’ administration has allocated nearly $25,000 to secure over 500 copies of a special Bible authored by Lee Greenwood, aimed for distribution in Advanced Placement government classes.
Additionally, he’s proposed new social studies standards laden with references to the Bible.
Walters attributes the declining discipline in schools over the past few decades partly to the absence of the Ten Commandments in educational environments.
He has voiced his commitment to opposing any initiatives promoting secularism in state-funded education, which he believes have played a role in societal decline.
Source: The74million