Presidential debate takeaways and Oklahoma schools required to teach Bible: Morning Rundown
NBCJun 24
The Facts
Ryan Walters, Oklahoma's state superintendent, ordered all public schools to teach the Bible, including the Ten Commandments, on Thursday.
Walters, a Republican, called the Bible an "indispensable historical and cultural touchstone" and said that an "immediate and strict compliance" of the mandate is "expected."
The Spin
Right narrative
Leftists want to deny students a well-rounded education, but the Bible is important for students to have historical context for what they're learning. The Bible has played a role from the Pilgrims through the civil rights movement and other significant historical points in US history. The Bible is integral to US history; not teaching it would be malpractice.
Left narrative
This mandate is so unconstitutional that it's amazing that Walters had the gall to issue it. Walters is pushing Christian Nationalist dogma, in violation of freedom of religion, on students and their families under the guise of improving education. The church-state separation is a pillar of the US foundation and must be maintained.