I’m a Christian, and I Don’t Want Bibles in Public Schools

I sent my kids to a private Christian school, spending six figures for twelve years of tuition for two kids. Questioning the wisdom of that decision is fodder for another article, but not the topic here. I made that choice based on several factors, my faith being the most significant element. Especially as a single mother, I wanted the backup of a school system that echoed the lessons I was teaching them at home. Never once, even when our budget was tight, did I think taxpayers’ money should help pay for my children to attend a religious school. It was my choice and, therefore, my responsibility.

Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Education’s recent ruling that the Bible be used for instruction in all Oklahoma classrooms in fifth grade and above is offensive and potentially dangerous. It is also unconstitutional and, as I’m sure Walters knows, headed for expensive legal challenges. Guess who will be paying for those legal fights? If we bring Christianity into the classroom, we need to also bring Judaism, Buddhism, and Satanism. It’s an all-or-nothing call, and I choose nothing. Our schools must welcome and be inclusive of all, regardless of religious preference. We are not a theocracy!

It’s estimated that there are over four thousand religions in the world. The most predominant religions practiced are Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism. Although Christianity is the most common religion in the United States, there is no official national religion, nor should there be. The very thought of establishing one religion to be the official state religion has scary undertones of fascism.

Outside of an upper-level class teaching world religion, discussing any religion at school is unnecessary. Walters’ exact words are as follows, “Every teacher, every classroom in the state, will have a Bible in the classroom and will be teaching from the Bible in the classroom.”

Considering our next-to-the-last ranking, it is obvious Oklahoma schools are struggling to teach the basics. Maybe the Superintendent of Education should focus on fixing that issue. Why would we think we should add yet another burden to our underpaid, overworked teachers? Religion is something taught at home and in our selected places of worship. It is not the school’s role.

Having the Bible taught in our schools is a step in the wrong direction, a slippery slope toward a state that is no longer a democracy that respects the rights of all citizens. Although I choose Christianity, I have respect for my friends who choose Judaism or Buddhism. It is their right not to have my religion pushed onto their children at a public school that is funded by taxpayers. Schools are funded by all taxpayers, not just Christian taxpayers. This raises the question of who will pay for all the Bibles and what training will be required to educate teachers to teach Bible classes. Maybe it’s time to consider taxing Christian churches to pay the extra costs.

Has Walters read the Bible? If so, I would guess it would have made his list of suggested banned books, which include Lord of the Flies, The Glass Castle, The Kite Runner, and The Outsiders. The Bible contains sex, drugs, and violence and is not reading for the squeamish. There is rape, murder, adultery, misogyny, and incest through the Bible. Judging by Walter’s standards, the Bible needs to be banned, not taught in our schools.

Many Christian leaders in the state have spoken against Walters’ edict that the bible should be taught in public schools. The state supreme court recently ruled that public funds cannot be used to pay for the proposed Catholic charter school. One has to wonder about Walters’ motivation. Could he be using the citizens of Oklahoma as a stepping stone for higher political offices?

Oklahomans must speak up against blurring the line between church and state. Common sense tells us that a law that favors one religion is not a positive change. Your religion may be the predominant religion this year, but how would you feel if Judaism, Islam, or Buddhism became the favored religion in the future? Religion does not belong in our schools. Preserve the separation of church and state.