With Trump back in the White House, the state’s superintendent is making efforts to install Christian viewpoints in governanceRyan Walters bowed his head in prayer at his desk in the Oklahoma state superintendent’s office.“Dear God, thank you for all the blessings you’ve given our country,” the rising star on the Christian right said in the mid-November video. “I pray for our leaders to make the right decisions. I pray in particular for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change for our country.” Continue reading...
Oklahoma is at the forefront of efforts to blur the separation of church and state, with Ryan Walters, the state superintendent, leading initiatives to integrate Christian principles into governance. Walters established a department for religious freedom and patriotism and distributed a prayer video to schools, sparking resistance from educators and the state attorney general. The state is considering a Catholic public charter school, supported by conservative activists. This movement, gaining traction with Trump's support, aims to embed Christian values in government, facing criticism for undermining constitutional guarantees. Critics argue that such efforts, including legal challenges, reflect a broader Christian nationalist agenda seeking to preserve conservative values amid demographic shifts.
