RELIGION

Bibles that Oklahoma wants for schools match version backed by Trump

Oct 4, 2024, 5:08 PM

FILE - Bibles are displayed in Miami. Religious publishers say President Trump's most recently prop...

FILE - Bibles are displayed in Miami. Religious publishers say President Trump's most recently proposed tariffs on Chinese imports could result in a Bible shortage, July 5, 2019. Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters ordered public schools Thursday, June 27, 2024, to incorporate the Bible into lessons for grades 5 through 12, the latest effort by conservatives to incorporate religion into classrooms. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)

(AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma’s top education official is seeking to purchase 55,000 Bibles for public schools and specifying that each copy contains the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, which are not commonly found in Bibles but are included in one endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

The request is part of Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ ongoing efforts to require Bibles in every classroom, which has been met with resistance by some of Oklahoma’s largest school districts.

Walters is seeking to spend $3 million in state funds for Bibles that fit a certain criteria, including that the pages are supplemented with U.S. historical materials. The Bibles must also be “bound in leather or leather-like material for durability,” according to state bidding documents posted this week.

The nonprofit news outlet Oklahoma Watch first reported Thursday that the requirements match the “God Bless the USA Bible” that Trump urged his supporters to begin buying earlier this year at a website that sells the book for $59.99.

Asked Friday if the state’s bid was tailored for the Bible backed by Trump, a spokesman for Walters said the proposal was open to any vendor.

“There are hundreds of Bible publishers and we expect a robust competition for this proposal,” said Dan Isett, a spokesman for the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, a Democrat, said the bid “does not pass the smell test” and said a court could void it if the process was found to limit competition.

“All fingers point to the Trump Bible that does contain all these requirements,” Edmondson said.

Walters in June ordered public schools to incorporate the Bible into lessons for grades 5 through 12. The bidding documents also specify that the Bibles include both the Old Testament and New Testament, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Bill of Rights.

“We can see there are very few Bibles on the market that would meet these criteria, and all of them have been endorsed by former President Donald Trump,” said Colleen McCarty, executive director of Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.

The name of the Bible backed by Trump is inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood’s patriotic ballad. Trump takes the stage to the song at each of his rallies and has appeared with Greenwood at events.

The Bible’s website states the product “is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign.” It says the site “uses Donald J. Trump’s name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC.”

Trump reported earning $300,000 off sales of the Bible, according to financial disclosures released in August. His campaign did not immediately return an email seeking comment Friday evening.

Walters, himself a former public school teacher who was elected to his post in 2022, ran on a platform of fighting “woke ideology,” banning books from school libraries and getting rid of “radical leftists” who he claims are indoctrinating children in classrooms.

KSL 5 TV Live

Religion

A copy of the Ten Commandments is posted along with other historical documents in a hallway of the ...

Sara Cline and Kevin McGill, Associated Press

Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments

A new Louisiana requirement that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public classroom by Jan. 1 was temporarily blocked Tuesday by a federal judge who said the law is “unconstitutional on its face.”

6 hours ago

The Deseret Peak Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, Nov. 10,...

Mark Jones

President Nelson dedicates the Deseret Peak Utah Temple; 200th worldwide

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Deseret Peak Utah Temple on Sunday.

2 days ago

Members of the First Presidency, President Russell M. Nelson (center), with President Dallin H. Oak...

Mark Jones

Tickets, viewing options released for First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released ticket and viewing options for the annual First Presidency's Christmas Devotional.

3 days ago

Carrie Kendrick being surprised by her son, Nick Kendrick, appearance at the Salt Lake City Interna...

Andrew Adams

Utah missionary surprises family at airport with an unexpected family member

A family at Salt Lake City International Airport Friday received a stunning surprise when the missionary’s twin brother returned home at the same time.

4 days ago

garbage in a church lot...

Larry D. Curtis

Truck dumps garbage in church parking lot on election night

A person in a white truck with a trailer left a pile of trash in a church parking lot before driving away on the night of the U.S. elections.

4 days ago

Elder Tinotenda Watson Maumbe was serving as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ ...

Carlysle Price

Missionary dies after sudden medical episode

A full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died Wednseday, after having a sudden medical episode.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

family having fun at home...

Lighting Design

Discover the impact of lighting on your mood

From color temperature to lighting saturation, we tackle how different lighting design setups can impact your day-to-day mood.

Laptops in a modern technology store. Department of computers in the electronics store. Choosing a ...

PC Laptops

How to choose the best laptop for college students

Finding the right laptop for college students can be hard, but with this guide we break down what to look for so you can find the best one.

young male technician is repairing a printer at office...

Les Olson

Unraveling the dilemma between leasing and buying office technology

Carefully weigh these pros and cons to make an informed decision that best suits your business growth and day-to-day operation. 

A kitchen in a modern farmhouse....

Lighting Design

A room-by-room lighting guide for your home

Bookmark this room-by-room lighting guide whenever you decide to upgrade your lighting or style a new home.

Photo courtesy of Artists of Ballet West...

Ballet West

The rising demand for ballet tickets: why they’re harder to get

Ballet West’s box office is experiencing demand they’ve never seen before, leaving many interested patrons unable to secure tickets they want.

Bibles that Oklahoma wants for schools match version backed by Trump