State’s bid cites requirements that $60 Trump-endorsed God Bless the USA Bible appears to be tailor-made to meet

Oklahoma’s top education official is seeking to buy 55,000 Bibles for public schools and specifying that each copy contain the Declaration of Independence and US constitution, which are not commonly found in Bibles but are included in one endorsed by former president Donald Trump.

The request is part of Republican state superintendent Ryan Walters’ ongoing efforts to require Bibles in every classroom, which has been met with resistance by some of Oklahoma’s largest school districts.

Walters is seeking to spend $3m in state funds for Bibles that fit a certain criteria, including that the pages are supplemented with US historical materials. The Bibles must also be “bound in leather or leather-like material for durability”, according to state bidding documents posted this week.

    • IninewCrow@lemmy.ca
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      8 hours ago

      At this point in history … the only legimate way to be a Christian is to just say you’re one. It’s about the only criteria anyone goes by now.

      It used to mean something a hundred years ago … it doesn’t mean much any more

      • solsangraal
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        8 hours ago

        It’s about the only criteria anyone goes by now

        as opposed to what?

        • catloaf@lemm.ee
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          7 hours ago

          As opposed to actually practicing being kind to your neighbor. Stuff like that.

          • solsangraal
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            7 hours ago

            pretty sure there have always been, probably always will be, people who say “i’m christian” just because that’s what they’re supposed to say.

            “i’m christian” has literally never made someone a good person just because they slapped that label on themself. if anything, if someone is one of those “i’d be a bad person if not for religion,” then that person is still not a good person

    • Sam_Bass@lemmy.world
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      7 hours ago

      the source material is all created and editted by men under orders from the king of england at the time. inasmuch as it was a royal effort i suppose it could be considered heretical but not in an ecclesiastical sense