Oklahoma’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has amended a controversial request for 55,000 Bibles to be placed in public schools, removing specifications that initially appeared to match a version endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
The revised request, issued Monday, no longer requires the Bibles to include U.S. historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. These requirements had aligned with the “God Bless the USA Bible” promoted by Trump earlier this year, which retails for $59.99.
The new request states that historical documents may be included together or separately, and extends the deadline for supply offers by one week to October 21. This change could potentially allow for the consideration of less expensive Bible versions, as similar Bibles without the U.S. documents are available online for less than $20.
Walters defended the Bible initiative in a video posted on social media platform X, citing its “historical significance throughout this nation’s history.” He accused “left-wing media” of lying about the program due to their alleged hatred of Trump and the Bible.
Dan Issett, Walters’ spokesperson, stated that the changes to the request for proposal (RFP) were suggested by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) and agreed to by Walters. Issett emphasized that tailoring the request to one specific manufacturer’s Bible would be illegal.
Christa Helfrey, an OMES spokesperson, explained that the changes were made to potentially save taxpayer money.
The initiative to place Bibles in public school classrooms has faced resistance from some of Oklahoma’s largest school districts. Critics have questioned the legality and appropriateness of the program in public education settings.
The controversy highlights ongoing debates about the separation of church and state in American public schools and the intersection of politics and religion in educational policy.
