Is the compulsory Bible drive for Oklahoma schools a ploy to schmooze Trump?

An Oklahoma Schools Superintendent is pushing for 55,000 Bibles to be bought for classrooms across the state, with specifications so precise that they are met by just one Bible in particular – one that earns Donald Trump a fee in return for his endorsement.

Described as a Christian Nationalist by the media, Ryan Walters has issued a very tight description for the RFP bid, insisting the Bibles should not only include the Declaration of Independence and other founding documents, but they should include no commentary and be leather-bound, or bound by “leather-like” material.

The bidding has just begun, but few will be participating. The Oklahoman news site reports that a salesperson at the Mardel Christian & Education bookstore which carries 2,900 Bibles, could find none to fit the bill.

Photo: screenshot from Mardel Christian & Education bookstore Facebook page.

The Bible that fits the description perfectly is Lee Greenwood’s ‘God Bless the U.S.A. Bible’, endorsed by presidential candidate Donald Trump and often called the Trump Bible. They cost $60 each online. Fifty-five thousand Bibles would cost the state $3.3 million.

Photo: Screenshot from God Bless The USA Bible website

Another Bible that would fulfill Walters’ specs is the ‘We The People Bible’ which has been endorsed by Donald Trump Junior and sells for $90. Meanwhile, the New King James Version can be bought for just $2.99 in paperback.

Photo: screenshot from America Superstore.

Although the Greenwood publisher told the Oklahoman it had no connection to the Trump campaign, a glance at recent financial disclosure forms filled by Trump revealed that he had earned $300,000 in royalties from the ‘God Bless the U.S.A. Bible’.

Walters’ move to impose the Bible in general and these Bibles in particular on Oklahoma school pupils has stirred controversy within the education system in the state, according to The Washington Post.

Photo: Screenshot from YouTube's The Kevin Roberts Show

The Schools Superintendent, who is a regular on conservative TV and radio shows, has called the Bible a “necessary historical document to teach our kids about the history of this country.” He has directed it to be taught by every public school in Oklahoma this year.

“We have talked about ensuring that our history courses include the role the Bible played throughout American history,” Walters said in the Oklahoman. “We’ve talked about the efforts of left-wing groups and the teachers’ unions to drive the Bible out of school.”

Photo: Screenshot from Youtube's News 9.

Walters added, “I believe it’s important for historical context for our kids to understand the role the Bible played.” But is unlikely, according to the Oklahoman, that Walters would have the authority to enforce his mandate.

Photo: Screenshot from Youtube's News 9.

Observers are also questioning the need for 55,000 volumes, given that Walters has specified the use of the Bible in classes where it might be woven into academic subjects, such as history and literature.

The request for 55,000 copies sits oddly with the fact there are only 43,000 classroom teachers in Oklahoma and, of these, far fewer are delivering a class of either history or literature.

Critics suggest that Walters is angling to be noticed by Trump in the hope Trump wins the elections in November; with Trump in the White House, his Bible initiative might move him up the political ladder.

“We are going to be so proud here in Oklahoma to be the first state in the country to bring the Bible back to every single classroom and every state should be doing this.… President Trump praised our efforts,” Walters is cited saying in the Oklahoman.

Photo: Screenshot from Youtube's News 9.

“Pretty clear it’s designed to buy Trump Bibles,” Democrat state Representative John Waldron (D) said in an interview with the Washington Post.

Photo: Screenshot from the House of Representatives website.

He added that it would be an actual offence if Walters’ specification were proven to benefit a particular bidder and noted that Walters could clearly benefit from helping Trump to make money. “That buys him access on the national stage,” he said.

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Photo: Screenshot from God Bless The USA Bible website