Oklahoma Supreme Court tosses Bible lawsuit after education leader declines to enforce mandate
So, here’s the deal: Oklahoma’s highest court has essentially punted on a lawsuit challenging a mandate to keep Bibles in public school classrooms and teach from them. The court, in a 6-2 decision, said the whole issue is now “moot.”
The reasoning is pretty straightforward. The newly appointed state Superintendent of Education, along with the new members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education, have stated they intend to nullify the 2024 mandate regarding Bible usage in schools. Not only that, but these new education leaders aren’t pursuing any of the other mandates issued by the previous superintendent, which would have used taxpayer money to buy classroom Bibles and “biblically-based character education materials.”… Continue reading
Texas schools are navigating a new state law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, leading to varied reactions. Some teachers, like Gigi Cervantes, have resigned in protest, while others, such as Dustin Parsons, view the displays as historical context. Despite legal challenges, including court orders against the mandate, many schools are implementing the law and receiving donated posters. The issue has sparked debate among students, parents, and school staff, raising questions about religious freedom and the role of schools.
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The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Cambridge Christian School, ending a nine-year legal battle over the school’s right to offer a prayer over a stadium loudspeaker at a 2015 football championship. The case involved the Florida High School Athletic Association, which denied the school’s request. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had previously ruled that announcements over the loudspeaker constituted “government speech,” thus not violating free-speech rights. This decision effectively upholds the appeals court’s ruling and resolves a dispute regarding free speech rights in a government setting.
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Oklahoma State Senator Dusty Deevers, a vocal Christian nationalist, views the separation of church and state as “blasphemous” and a belittlement of Jesus Christ’s authority. Deevers believes the government’s fundamental role is to convert people to Christianity and extend Christ’s dominion over all aspects of life. He has openly advocated for policies that reflect this belief, including abolishing abortion and outlawing same-sex marriage, as outlined in the “Statement on Christian Nationalism and the Gospel.” Deevers’ views and actions align him with other radical Christian nationalists, further solidifying his commitment to establishing a Christian theocracy.
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A judge issued a temporary injunction against Texas’s new law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. This ruling, the third against such a state law, was in response to a lawsuit filed by Dallas-area families and faith leaders who argued the requirement violated the First Amendment. The ruling is expected to escalate the legal battle, potentially reaching the U.S. Supreme Court, as similar laws in Louisiana and Arkansas have faced legal challenges. The court reasoned that the law would force teachers to answer questions about the Ten Commandments, effectively promoting religion in the classroom.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a video featuring pastors advocating against women voting, sparking concern from a progressive evangelical organization. The video includes comments from Christian nationalist pastor Doug Wilson and others suggesting voting by households and opposing women in leadership roles. Hegseth, who has ties to the church affiliated with the video’s content, reposted the segment, coinciding with the Trump administration’s efforts to promote Christian nationalism. This move follows other actions, such as the creation of a federal task force and a White House faith office, raising concerns about the separation of church and state.
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A federal judge has blocked Arkansas public schools from displaying the Ten Commandments, calling the law “obviously unconstitutional” and citing potential violations of the First Amendment. The judge issued a preliminary injunction against the Arkansas law, which would have mandated displays in classrooms and libraries. This decision was made in response to similar laws passed in other states, like Louisiana and Texas, and legal challenges are underway against those measures. The judge argued the state’s actions may be part of a broader strategy to introduce Christian religious doctrine into public schools, especially in light of recent Supreme Court rulings.
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U.S. federal employees may now engage in religious proselytization in the workplace. This is a pretty significant shift, and it’s stirring up a lot of strong reactions, to say the least. The Trump administration made this move, essentially allowing federal workers to try and recruit their colleagues to their own religion. The official line is that employees can “persuade others of the correctness of their own religious views” in the office, and that supervisors can even attempt to recruit their employees, as long as their efforts aren’t “harassing.”
This whole situation raises immediate concerns, and it’s easy to see why. The potential for abuse is practically built-in.… Continue reading
The suggestion to disregard the separation of church and state is a significant departure from the established principles of American governance. It represents a potential shift toward a system where religious influence holds greater sway in public life, raising concerns about the implications for religious freedom and the balance of power.
This proposal challenges the very foundation upon which the United States was built, a nation founded on the principle of separating religious authority from the state. The intent to “bring religion back to our country” suggests a desire to integrate faith more deeply into governmental processes and public institutions. This could lead to policies reflecting specific religious beliefs, potentially marginalizing those of different faiths or no faith at all.… Continue reading
The Supreme Court heard two cases with significant implications for public education. The first case, *Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond*, concerns whether Oklahoma must fund a religious charter school, potentially overturning the state’s mandate for secular public charter schools. The second case, *Mahmoud v. Taylor*, addresses whether religious parents can exempt their children from lessons conflicting with their beliefs, potentially granting religious parents curriculum veto power. Conservative justices showed a willingness to expand religious influence in public schools, potentially leading to the widespread integration of religious instruction and the restriction of certain topics. This could fundamentally alter the nature of public education in the United States.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker