Here we go, again. The Oklahoma Superintendent of schools Ryan Walters has ordered that the Bible “be taught” in public schools. He’s certainly correct to say that the Bible is an “indispensable historical and cultural touchstone,” but my guess is that it will not be taught as an historical document but in a catechical manner.
Examining the Bible as an historical document is one thing, but using it to teach “Christian values” is another. Whose “Christian values?” The ones that point to an open and welcoming society or the ones that say certain people are an abomination? And where do Jews, Muslims, and believers in other faiths fit into this scheme?
This is the whole reason why the Founders separated church and state. The religious wars of the 17th century weren’t that far behind in their memory, a time when people were slaughtered because they didn’t accept a particular religious viewpoint.
Prayer for the Day
Many are the ways we come to you, O Lord,
Many are the ways we seek your presence in our lives;
But we are faced with the narrow-minded,
Those who would twist your word into a cudgel.
Broaden our vision of faith and belief,
So we become a more open and welcoming people.
In the name of the One who welcomes all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Public schools are not Sunday schools. This is textbook Christian Nationalism: Walters is abusing the power of his public office to impose his religious beliefs on everyone else's children.
Rachel Laser, Americans United for Separation of Church and State
True religious freedom means ensuring that no one religious group is allowed to impose their viewpoint on all Americans
Statement by the Interfaith Alliance
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
For we have had more than enough of contempt.
Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease,
Of the contempt of the proud.
Psalm 123: 3-4