Court Halts Oklahoma's Classroom Bible Purchase Plan

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has issued a temporary stay on Superintendent Ryan Walters' plan to integrate Bibles into the state's public school curriculum, following a lawsuit from over 30 individuals challenging its constitutionality. Walters had proposed using state funds to purchase 55,000 Bibles, but faces significant opposition from superintendents and civil liberties groups citing First Amendment concerns. The court's decision also halts any new requests for proposals related to Bible purchases, while Walters and musician Lee Greenwood are seeking donations to fund the initiative independently. Walters' mandate required schools to incorporate the Bible as instructional support, highlighting its influence on Western civilization and American history. Despite the setback, Walters maintains that the Bible is a crucial educational resource, framing opposition as an attack on foundational national values. This controversial initiative reflects broader conservative efforts in some states to integrate religious texts in public education.