Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters got into a heated argument with CNN host Pamela Brown over the use of the Bible in public school classes.
The CNN Newsroom host began his segment by asking Walters about the backlash against his order to bring the Bible and the Ten Commandments into public schools, and the ongoing lawsuit challenging it.
“I continue to hear gaslighting from the left, and frankly from this network as well, pushing lies about what's going on across America,” Walters said. “President Trump has a clear mission. He wants to bring prayer back into schools. He wants to remove radical leftists from classrooms, he wants to instill patriotism in children, he wants to encourage parents to We want to take back responsibility for school choice. We're running on that agenda here in Oklahoma.'' That's what our parents want. Every county in Oklahoma voted for President Trump. His policy is clear and we intend to enact it in Oklahoma. ”
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters clashed with CNN host Pamela Brown over the use of Bibles in schools. (Screenshot from CNN)
“I'm not going to take bait from what you said about gaslighting from this network,” Brown responded, following up on a question about the petition against his mandate.
Oklahoma school principal confronts CNN host in heated interview over Bible teaching in classrooms
“You know, I appreciate you pushing the left-wing narrative here, but this is the reality. The Constitution-” Walters said before Brown interrupted.
“This is not a left-wing story,” Brown said. “I'm literally talking about a petition signed by parents that raised this issue and gathered over 14,000 signatures.”
Walters responded that the Constitution is clear about religious freedom and that “the left doesn't want kids to know anything about the role the Bible played in American history.” Brown countered that the Constitution is “not clear on that point” and “doesn't include God.”
“Look, CNN doesn't have to like it. Left-wing activists don't have to like it,” Walters said.
Brown responded: “I'm just talking about facts, not my opinion.”
“This is a historical document. The Bible is a historical document. You can't rewrite history, okay?” Walters said.
In June, Walters instituted a requirement for public schools to use the Bible in their curriculum. (St. Petersburg)
Brown continued to press Walters about teaching graphic parts of the Bible and whether there should also be a focus on other religious texts like the Koran and the Book of Mormon. Walters noted that the Bible had a unique impact on American history in a way that other religions did not.
“And, again, the media doesn't have to like it, but the reality is that the American people rejected this gaslighting and put President Trump back in the White House with a clear purpose. And We're going to stand up.' We're going to be right behind the president every step of the way,'' Walters said.
“Okay. And just to be clear again, this doesn't mean we don't like the media,” Brown concluded. “What I'm talking about is your critics and your willingness to consider their point of view, because as you know, you have people with different points of view. Because we oversee the entire education system in Oklahoma. And that's what we want to do.'' ”
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Walters' mission is currently facing a lawsuit alleging it violates religious freedom. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
In June, Walters instituted a requirement for schools to include the Bible and the Ten Commandments in the curriculum for fifth through 10th grades. However, several Oklahoma schools insisted they would not change their curriculum to incorporate the Bible.
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