Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is defending the process for selecting Bibles for classrooms after a report revealed the narrow criteria only allow Bibles endorsed by former President Donald Trump to qualify. Walters’ request for proposal (RFP) specifies that Bibles must be leather-bound, contain U.S. foundational documents, and use the New King James Version, making most Bibles ineligible.
Colleen McCarty, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, noted that few Bibles meet the requirements. The main options are Trump-endorsed versions like the We The People Bible and God Bless the U.S.A. Bible, which is priced between $60 and $90.
A spokesperson for Walters’ office stated that the RFP process is transparent and competitive despite concerns about its legality. Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson questioned whether the process violates competitive bidding laws, as the specific requirements exclude most potential bidders.
Walters has requested $3 million to buy 55,000 Bibles for classrooms. Some school superintendents are refusing to comply with the mandate to include the Bible in public lesson plans, citing concerns over the enforcement of the mandate.
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