Instruction to include the Bible in the curriculum in the US state of Oklahoma

Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has sent a directive to public schools in the state.

Stating that there must be a Bible in every classroom in the state and that all teachers must teach from the Bible in class, Walters described the holy book as "one of the most foundational documents used for the Constitution and the birth of our country."

Arguing that the Bible is a necessary historical document for a complete understanding of the country's history and Western civilization according to Oklahoma academic standards, Walters stated, "The Bible is an indispensable historical and cultural touchstone."

Walters noted that Oklahoma students cannot properly grasp the foundation of the nation without knowledge of the Bible, adding, "This is not just an educational directive, but also an important step to ensure our students understand the foundational values and historical context of our country."

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also signed a law into effect on June 19 that mandates the display of posters featuring the Ten Commandments in classrooms in public schools across the state.

In response, several organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), stated that this law hinders children from receiving an equal education and will cause students of different faiths to feel unsafe in schools, announcing that they would file a lawsuit against the law.

The Ten Commandments are known as the first divine commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai and are considered part of the Bible within the Old Testament.