Americans United criticizes Ryan Walters’ draft Oklahoma social studies curriculum

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today criticized the proposed Oklahoma social studies curriculum because aspects of the proposed standards appear designed to promote Christianity to public school students as young as first graders and to advance Christian Nationalist myths and disinformation about the influence of Christianity on the Founding.

“Ryan Walters, backed by his Christian Nationalist allies, is once again abusing his power to proselytize our public school students and further a political agenda instead of teaching our students facts and history,” said Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser, adding that “some of the most problematic standards are aimed at the youngest, most impressionable students: first and second graders.”

In his press release about the proposed standards, Walters emphasized that they contain “over 40 references to the Bible and Christianity.” He declared that this shows that “Oklahoma is putting the Bible and the historical impact of Christianity back in school.” Walters boasted in public remarks that the standards are intended to “champion the guidance that the Bible gave throughout American History.” 

The problems with the curriculum that Laser cited are many, but just a few examples include: 

• It requires first grade students to “identify stories from ancient Israel” that supposedly influenced America’s founders, including the Ten Commandments – yet mainstream scholars of religion and history agree that the Bible did not influence the creation of America’s secular government.
• It mandates that second graders link stories from the New Testament – including the teachings of Jesus – with the founding of America.
• The entire curriculum, from second grade through high school, heavily focuses on “Judeo-Christian ideals” and “ethics.” Eighth graders are directed to “evaluate the role of Judeo-Christian ideals in supporting colonial demands for independence,” purporting that the Bible was a “frequently cited authority by America’s Founders.” Yet a historical study of the framing of our Constitution and founding of our government found there was no evidence of biblical influence.  

Americans United noted that the curriculum is also marred by what it lacks. Despite its emphasis on religion, the curriculum doesn’t cover the development of the separation of church and state, which was an American innovation, or explain how that foundational principle protects religious freedom, democracy, and equality. 

“Walters has consistently sought to use Oklahoma’s public schools to further the version of far-right, MAGA-infused Christianity he favors – a version that many American Christians don’t accept,” Laser said.

Americans United has two ongoing lawsuits against Walters to protect the religious freedom of all Oklahomans: one over the state’s approval of a religious public school and another over his attempt to push the Bible in public school classrooms. “AU intends to take a closer look at the proposed standards and take any steps necessary to continue to protect the religious freedom of all Oklahoma public school students,” Laser concluded.