Interesting name for the new entity. OKlahoma, fresh off trying to tailor an RFP for Trump Bibles, is setting up a new entity to further the state's public education goals.
The head of the agency, state Superintendent Ryan Walters, announced Tuesday he established the Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism. He said the new division will align with incoming President Donald Trump’s aim of protecting prayer in schools.
The office will investigate alleged abuses against religious freedom and patriotic displays, according to a news release from the Education Department.
Walters cited a September 2023 incident in which a Skiatook school removed Bible verses from a classroom at the urging of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which contended it was unconstitutional for a public school to allow religious displays. At the time, Walters said the removal was “unacceptable.”
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided that students and public school employees are permitted to pray on school grounds, but school employees cannot lead students in prayer or other religious activities while doing their jobs. The Court ruled in 1962 against school-led prayer in public schools, finding it a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition of government-established religion.
States Newsroom (@statesnewsroom.com)
In order to align with President-elect Donald Trump’s aim of protecting prayer in schools, Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters established the Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism. He said it will investigate alleged abuses against religious freedom and patriotic displays. Via Oklahoma...
The head of the agency, state Superintendent Ryan Walters, announced Tuesday he established the Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism. He said the new division will align with incoming President Donald Trump’s aim of protecting prayer in schools.
The office will investigate alleged abuses against religious freedom and patriotic displays, according to a news release from the Education Department.
Walters cited a September 2023 incident in which a Skiatook school removed Bible verses from a classroom at the urging of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which contended it was unconstitutional for a public school to allow religious displays. At the time, Walters said the removal was “unacceptable.”
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided that students and public school employees are permitted to pray on school grounds, but school employees cannot lead students in prayer or other religious activities while doing their jobs. The Court ruled in 1962 against school-led prayer in public schools, finding it a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition of government-established religion.