religion in schools

State lawmakers in the newly established Oklahoma Freedom Caucus support State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ mandate to have copies of the Bible in classrooms statewide.

At Thursday’s State Board of Education meeting, State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced in his annual budget proposal $3 million was already being spent on classroom Bibles, and the board voted to ask the legislature for an additional $3 million.

Supporters say kids need to understand the Bible to understand American literature. But opponents say kids are too young for this type of instruction and the materials could alienate students who aren't Christian.