The Oklahoma Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a mandate requiring the Bible to be taught in public schools, after state education officials confirmed the directive will not be enforced. In a 6-2 decision released on Monday, the court declared the case moot following the rescission of orders issued by former state superintendent Ryan Walters.
Walters, who resigned earlier this year, issued directives in June and July 2024 requiring Oklahoma schools to incorporate the Bible into the curriculum for grades 5 through 12. The orders stated that the Bible would be referenced as part of the study of history, civilisation, ethics, and comparative religion, citing its influence on the nation's founders and the Constitution.
Current superintendent Lindel Fields and other education officials have nullified and rescinded the mandates, as well as related requests for proposals concerning the purchase of Bibles and biblically-based character education materials. Fields took over after Walters resigned two months ago; the next state superintendent will be elected in November 2026.
The lawsuit was filed in October 2024 by more than two dozen Oklahoma residents, who argued that Walters' orders violated the state Constitution's ban on state-established religion. They were represented by groups including Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the ACLU, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs welcomed the decision, stating in a joint statement: 'We are pleased that Superintendent Fields abandoned former Superintendent Walters’ attempts to incorporate the Bible into the public-school curriculum... Fields’ actions and the Supreme Court’s order mean that Oklahoma families and students – not politicians – will get to decide if, when and how to engage with the Bible.'
A spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Department of Education said the court 'correctly determined the issues are moot,' adding that the department 'has not and will not issue a request for proposals' for Bibles. The spokesperson noted that Bibles are already available in most Oklahoma schools.
