1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

The recent mandate by Oklahoma's State Superintendent Ryan Walters to teach the Bible, including the Ten Commandments, in all public schools is a concerning violation of the separation of church and state. While the Bible undoubtedly holds historical and cultural significance, its religious nature makes it inappropriate for blanket teaching in public secular institutions. This directive blurs the crucial line between education and religious indoctrination. Public schools must remain neutral spaces that welcome students of all faiths and none. Compelling Bible instruction, especially of explicitly religious texts like the Ten Commandments, undermines this principle of inclusivity. It effectively privileges particular religious beliefs over others and forces those beliefs upon all students, regardless of their personal convictions. Furthermore, this mandate is part of a broader national movement by conservative religious groups to enshrine their values in public policy and institutions. While they have a right to their beliefs, they should not have the power to unilaterally impose those beliefs on the entire populace through the public education system. A diverse, pluralistic society demands that the state remains neutral on matters of religion. I urge you to take a firm stance against this violation of church-state separation and religious freedom. Public schools must focus on providing a well-rounded, secular education accessible to all students, not prioritizing specific religious curricula. Protecting students' rights to learn free from religious inculcation should be of utmost importance.