Ryan Walters, the right-wing state school superintendent in Oklahoma, caused controversy when he announced plans to spend $6 million on buying Bibles for every classroom in the state. However, further investigation revealed that the bid specifications for the purchase seemed to favor a particular type of Bible, similar to the “God Bless the USA Bible” endorsed by Donald Trump and Lee Greenwood. Critics, including former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, raised concerns about the competitiveness of the bidding process and the inclusion of unnecessary requirements that could exclude most potential bidders.
Walters, who has a history of controversial statements and actions, has been viewed as a potential Republican candidate for governor in 2026. Despite denying any ambitions for higher office, his recent decision to push for classroom Bibles has raised speculation about his political motivations. The move has garnered media attention and may further raise Walters’ public profile in the deeply Republican state. The superintendent has defended the Bible purchase as a way to educate students about the core values and historical context of the country.
The bidding specifications issued by Walters require the Bible to be a King James version and include the texts of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The documents also have to be bound in leather or leather-like material, further narrowing the potential bidders. One of the main concerns raised about the bidding process is the lack of openness and transparency, with critics questioning the fairness of the competition. The competitive bidding process is expected to attract multiple Bible publishers, but concerns remain about the exclusion of certain vendors due to the specific requirements laid out in the bid.
Civil liberties groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, have criticized Walters’ decision to introduce the Bible into classrooms as promoting a Christian nationalist agenda and potentially coercing public school students into religious beliefs. They argue that public schools should not be used to advance a specific religious agenda and that taxpayer money should not be used to fund such initiatives. The coalition of civil liberties groups has filed an Open Records Act request to gather information about existing or planned purchases of Bibles in Oklahoma public schools.
Despite facing criticism and concerns about the bidding process, Walters remains committed to his plan to introduce the Bible as a foundational text for instructional support in Oklahoma classrooms. He has allocated $3 million for the purchase of classroom Bibles and is seeking an additional $3 million from the state legislature to fund the initiative. The controversy surrounding the bid specifications and the intended purchase of Bibles for classrooms has sparked debate about the separation of church and state, freedom of religion, and the role of public education in promoting religious values. The outcome of this issue will likely have far-reaching implications for education policy and the religious landscape in Oklahoma.
