Group sues Oklahoma over social studies standards ‘promoting’ Christianity

A group is suing Oklahoma for teaching students how Christianity has impacted American history.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) announced its lawsuit July 1 in a statement arguing the state “unconstitutionally promote[s] Christianity to public school students.”

It claims Oklahoma’s standards “inaccurately present Bible stories as literal, historical facts; inaccurately proclaim the Bible and Christianity’s influence on the founding of America and the country’s laws; and favor Christianity over other faiths and beliefs.”

The group also criticized the standards’ discussion of the legitimacy of the 2020 election and the COVID-19 pandemic’s origins.

“These new social studies standards will violate students’ and families’ religious freedom by promoting one version of Christianity and advancing Christian Nationalist disinformation. Not on our watch,” claimed AU President and CEO Rachel Laser. “Public schools are not Sunday schools.”

Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters – one of the defendants – rebuked the lawsuit as anti-American.

“I am unashamed that Oklahoma students will get an America First education based in facts this Fall,” Walters said. “The Left continues their attempts to destroy Christianity, our history, and America herself. Our students will know Americans never have, and never will, bow to their tyrannical hatred of liberty and American values.”

Other defendants include the Oklahoma education department and State Board of Education, which approved the standards alongside the Oklahoma Legislature.

Examples of Christianity in the new standards include:

• “Identify stories from Christianity that influenced the American Founders and culture, including the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth (e.g., the “Golden Rule,” the Sermon on the Mount).” (2nd grade)  
• “Evaluate the role of Judeo-Christian ideals in supporting colonial demands for independence, as exemplified by the Bible being a frequently cited authority by America’s Founders.” (8th grade) 
• “Compare the origins and spread of the world’s major religions and philosophies, including Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, and Sikhism.” (9-12th grade) 

The new standards also tackle controversial topics in religious history.

For example, one fourth grade standard requires students to learn “how Spain, France, and England were motivated to explore the continent by a desire to expand their wealth and culture, forcibly convert Native peoples to Christianity, acquire natural resources, and develop trade relations.”

In May, a different group filed another lawsuit against the social studies standards, arguing they “do not align with best practices, current understanding set by national organization and represent a distorted view of social studies.”

A judge dismissed that lawsuit since it did not cite any law or statute being violated.

However, AU’s lawsuit makes several specific claims, alleging the standards violate religious freedom protections in the Oklahoma Constitution and that the State Board of Education violated the Open Meetings Act.

The lawsuit also alleged the new standards weren’t “age-appropriate” because young schoolchildren might hear about Bible stories and believe they are historically true.  

In fact, several plaintiffs are “faith leaders” who believe it is wrong to teach the Bible as historical fact. 

“As a Christian, I object to Oklahoma’s new social studies standards that require teachers to deceive students by presenting inaccurate information as fact,” said Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall, the lead plaintiff. “As a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, I am especially bothered by my tax dollars supporting state-mandated religious instruction. 

“It’s a painful reminder of the forced religious proselytization my family members experienced in Native American boarding schools in Oklahoma.” 

Rev. Dr. Lisa Wolfe, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, echoed his sentiment. 

“I am raising my children in the United Church of Christ and we do not believe that the Bible must be interpreted as historically accurate,” Wolfe said. 

Other plaintiffs include public school parents and teachers.