Oklahoma Dept. of Education fights back against atheist group trying to ban prayer in schools

TUPELO, Miss. — Oklahoma’s Department of Education recently filed a complaint in pursuit of halting the efforts of an atheist legal organization to force a public school district to end its voluntary prayer practice. According to The Christian Post, “At issue is a cease-and-desist demand letter FFRF [Freedom From Religion Foundation] sent to Achille Public Schools last December over a policy that allows students to say prayers during morning announcements.” Ryan Walters, Oklahoma State Superintendent, defended the state’s constitutional right to religious freedom: “Oklahoma will never be bullied by radical, out-of-state atheists who use intimidation and harassment against kids.”

“People of faith all across the country are grateful because Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters is standing up against religion-hating bullies. These bullies have harassed children and school districts all across the country. Oklahomans should be grateful that Ryan Walters has the courage and constitutional good sense to stop these bigots in their state,” said Trey Dellinger, Senior Legal Fellow for AFA Action.

“The First Amendment protects the free exercise of religion. It requires accommodation for religious speech and practice, and school officials should not be hostile to religion. Students’ right to exercise their religion does not stop at the schoolhouse door, including the right to voluntary prayer. Any well-rounded education includes an understanding of the centrality of the Bible in our nation’s history. Praying in school and teaching the historical importance of the Bible is constitutional. We encourage Oklahomans to pray for and stand with Superintendent Walters and the APS school officials in this fight.”

AFA Action is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to advancing biblical family values in society and government by shaping public policy through education and advocacy. The mission of AFA Action is to inform and mobilize individuals to strengthen the biblical foundations of America by persuading individuals with the truth of the Gospel, challenging the lost to repent, promoting societal values that are consistent with Scripture, restraining evil and exposing the works of darkness, motivating people to take a stand on cultural and moral issues, and encouraging Christians to bear witness to the world the love of Jesus Christ. Find AFA Action Alerts here. 

For more information on the American Family Association, visit www.afa.net or follow AFA on Facebook or X.        

For more information on AFA Action, visit www.afaaction.net or follow AFA Action on Facebook or X.

To interview an AFA or AFA Action spokesperson, contact [email protected] or Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, Dawn Foglein, ext. 100, or Daniel Moyer, ext. 104.