Four civil rights groups and an Oklahoma law office said Friday that they had made a request for records from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, seeking information about the recent directive by Superintendent Ryan Walters to incorporate the Bible into classroom teaching.

The groups Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AUS), the ACLU of Oklahoma (ACLU), American Civil Liberties Union (ACU), Freedom From Religion Foundation and Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, said that their request for open records targeted three areas.

The directive of June 27th, to integrate the Bible as “an instructional support” into the curriculum for grades 5-12.

The creation of a committee to oversee the revisions and a “complete overhaul” in the social studies standards of the state.

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The memo sent to all school district providing guidance on implementation of the original Directive to integrate the Bible into classroom teaching.

Megan Lambert of the ACLU of Oklahoma said that the groups filed the request in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Records Act. Megan Lambert, legal director for the ACLU of Oklahoma, said that the groups made the request under the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

Lambert stated in a press release announcing this action that “all families and students” should feel welcomed in public schools. The courts have repeatedly ruled it unconstitutional to force anyone to participate or support religion or its practice.

Lambert stated that Oklahoma children have a right to attend school in public and access all of the school services, “without government-sponsored religious imposition on them.”

She said that “freedom of religion” means that parents, faith communities and not politicians have the right to direct religious education and development for their children.

Walters’s spokesman Dan Isett said that the groups were “out of state left-wing activists.” They were “dedicated” to “thwarting the academic advancement in Oklahoma, as they are incorrect about the use the Bible as a support for instruction in our classrooms.

Isett, in an email to The Oklahoman, said that Superintendent Walters was clear about the importance of incorporating the Bible into the classroom. It would help students to better understand historical and cultural developments as well as the literary and historical foundations of Western Civilization.

These radicals would sacrifice the knowledge of our students to their own tyrannical atheism, which they consider our state religion.

According to Ryan Walters, every classroom must have physical copies of the Bible, Constitution and Ten Commandments.

Walters’ request came just days after he issued a paper on how to incorporate his late-June directive that the Bible should be taught in all classrooms.

Walters, in a Tuesday memo to superintendents of the state’s public school districts, wrote: “Immediate implementation and completion of these guidelines is required for the 2024-2025 academic year.”

This memorandum, along with the standards included, must be given to each teacher. In addition, a copy of the Bible and copies of the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence as well as the Ten Commandments should be placed in every classroom of the school district. These documents are required for Oklahoma students to receive a holistic education.

Walters’ directive was met with resistance from some of the larger districts in the state, who announced that they would not be changing their curriculum.

Colleen McCarty is the executive director of Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. She said Walters’ agenda in Oklahoma was clear: Christian Nationalism, partisan rhetoric and a platform for his political ambitions.

She said that Walters’ record of addressing real concerns from students and parents was abysmal. “Oklahomans need a state secretary who will provide a quality education that is accessible to all Oklahomans, and not tear down the wall of separation between state and church.”

Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United said that the request was made to protect the public’s interest so the organizations, and their Oklahoma members, “can determine if those who are entrusted as public servants with government affairs, are performing their duties honestly, faithfully, and competently.”

“Public schools aren’t Sunday schools.” Laser stated in a press statement that Superintendent Walters had repeatedly demonstrated his inability to distinguish between the two. His latest scheme — mandating the use of Bible in Oklahoma’s public school curriculum — was a transparent and unlawful attempt to promote Christian Nationalism, indoctrinate students and coerce them religiously. “Not on our watch.”

The organizations request that records be delivered by August 10, 2024.

Patrick Elliott, the director of Freedom from Religion Foundation said that he was worried about Walters’ push to include the Bible in the school curriculum. Elliott stated that Walters does not have the legal authority required to make such an order. Walters is trying to compromise the education of students in order to gain political points among a small group of Christian Nationalists.