Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said Sunday that the Bible “absolutely” should be taught in schools as a “historic” and “cultural” document.
Lankford appeared on CNN's Dana Bash's “State of the Union” and was asked about Oklahoma's requirement that schools include the Bible in class.
“As a historical document, as a cultural document, it absolutely should be taught in schools,” said Reverend Lankford. “As a religious document, it’s up to parents and off-campus faith leaders.”
The remarks follow Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters' failure to rule out the idea of a state mandate to require Bibles in schools.
Oklahoma requires the Bible to be used in all public school classrooms and for educators to utilize lessons about the Bible's influence on American culture and history.
Lankford insisted Sunday that conversations about the Bible in schools “should not have a religious tone.”
“I'm just letting people know that my Christian faith has had a dramatic impact on my life and that I'm a primary teacher of my faith to my children,” he said. said. “Public school teachers shouldn't do that.”
“But that being said, the Bible is part of Western civilization and part of our founding. Many of our founders had a passion for the Bible and its study. ” Lankford continued.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R) of Oklahoma said he believes it's a “slippery slope” for educators to teach about the Bible if the teacher is not a “believer,” adding that the Bible is a “slippery slope” for educators to teach about the Bible if the teacher is “not a believer.” He insisted that someone who did it should teach it.
