Oklahoma state schools superintendent Ryan Walters is creating an Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism and is requiring every district in the state to show a video discussing the new office. He is also reported to be ordering hundreds of Bibles for distribution in Oklahoma classrooms. Several school districts are refusing to show the video despite his requirement.  

As you can imagine, this has caused considerable controversy. I am a Christian and a patriot, but I feel Mr. Walters has gone too far. In my opinion, this crosses a line government should never intrude on. It sounds too much like a government trying to force its way onto a population. Even if I agree with the agenda, I strongly disagree with the method used to promote it. 

I believe I know what at least one of the reasons for Mr. Walters’ action may be. For years the political left has been encroaching on our educational institutions, pushing its own agenda on our students. Walters’ effort may be an effort to push back. Even if it is, I still say it’s just as wrong for the political right to impose themselves on our educational system as it is for the political left. The best alternative is to have no one impose their beliefs on our educational system and let the students decide what to believe for themselves.