Oklahoma Supreme Court Blocks Mandate for Bible in Classrooms

On Monday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling halting efforts by State Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSBE) to require Bible-based and Christian-centric materials in the state’s new public school social studies standards. The temporary order, issued amidst ongoing litigation, prevents the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) from purchasing Bibles or “Bible-infused instructional materials” for public classrooms, pending a final decision in the case .

The lawsuit, Rev. Lori Walke v. Ryan Walters, was filed in October 2024 by a coalition of 32 Oklahoma families, teachers, clergy, and advocacy organizations, including Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of Oklahoma Foundation, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice .

The challenge to Walters’ Bible mandate draws strength from a diverse group of plaintiffs, representing parents, students, LGBTQ+ individuals, Indigenous leaders, clergy, and both religious and nonreligious Oklahomans . At the heart of their legal argument is the assertion that the mandate violates the Oklahoma Constitution’s religious freedom protections by using public funds to support a specific religion, and by giving preference to the Protestant King James Version of the Bible.

The case also contends that Walters and the OSDE overstepped their legal authority by seeking to force religious content into public education standards and to spend state money for this purpose .

The Supreme Court’s order temporarily stays “work on any new request by the OSDE for the purchase of Bibles” and halts a current request for proposals (RFP) seeking suppliers of “supplemental instructional materials that effectively integrate the Bible and character education into elementary-level social studies curriculum” . The court has not yet issued a final ruling on the broader constitutionality of Walters’ Bible Education Mandate, but the stay is seen as a strong indicator of judicial skepticism toward the policy.

A joint statement released by the plaintiff organizations praised the decision: “This victory is an important step toward protecting the religious freedom of every student and parent in Oklahoma. Superintendent Ryan Walters has been abusing his power and the court checked those abuses today. Our diverse coalition of families and clergy remains united against Walters’s extremism and in favor of a core First Amendment principle: the separation of church and state” .

Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights have expressed strong support for the ruling, highlighting the specific risks that religiously motivated mandates pose to marginalized students. Many LGBTQ+ young people, especially those who are transgender, nonbinary, or queer, have historically faced exclusion or harm in school environments where sectarian religious beliefs are promoted . For LGBTQ+ students in Oklahoma, the attempted imposition of Bible-centered instruction raised concerns about the erasure of diverse identities, potential increases in bullying, and the undermining of inclusive curricula.

Religious freedom organizations argue that public schools must remain spaces where all students—regardless of faith, sexual orientation, or gender identity—feel welcomed and respected. “Mandating religious content in public schools not only violates the rights of all students, but disproportionately threatens the safety and dignity of LGBTQ+ youth, who are already at heightened risk for discrimination,” noted one attorney involved in the lawsuit .

Superintendent Walters’ campaign to increase Bible usage in classrooms began in mid-2024, when he issued memoranda directing public school districts to incorporate the Bible as an “instructional resource.” In the months that followed, the OSDE took steps to spend $3 million in state funds to purchase 55,000 King James Version Bibles for distribution to schools . Walters also solicited proposals for supplemental materials that would integrate biblical teachings into elementary-level social studies curricula.

These actions triggered immediate backlash from educators, families, and advocacy organizations across Oklahoma, who argued that the mandate was not only unconstitutional but detrimental to the educational environment. The lawsuit filed in October 2024 detailed these concerns and sought an order declaring Walters’ actions unlawful and unenforceable .

The Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision comes amid a rising tide of efforts across the United States to introduce religious content into public schools and restrict the teaching of LGBTQ+ history, gender diversity, and anti-discrimination principles. Religious freedom and civil liberties advocates warn that such policies threaten not only the constitutional separation of church and state but also the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized groups .

Oklahoma’s case is being closely watched by legal experts and advocacy groups nationwide, who see it as a potential bellwether for similar disputes in other states. Should the court ultimately rule against Walters’ Bible Education Mandate, the precedent could help safeguard the religious and educational rights of LGBTQ+ students and all public school attendees across the country.

While the Supreme Court’s order is currently temporary, further filings and a final decision are expected in the coming months. The coalition of families, educators, clergy, and advocacy groups behind the lawsuit has vowed to continue their efforts to ensure that Oklahoma’s public schools remain welcoming and inclusive for all students, regardless of religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or background .

As the legal process unfolds, LGBTQ+ advocates urge continued vigilance and solidarity: “It’s vital that the rights of LGBTQ+ youth are not sacrificed in the name of political agendas or religious preference. Public schools must remain secular, supportive, and safe for every student,” said a spokesperson for one of the organizations involved in the case .

The court’s action is a reminder that vigilance is needed to protect the rights of all students and families—especially those who have historically been excluded or marginalized in educational settings.