ICE agents don’t need Bible verses from government officials. When DHS leaders invoke Christianity to defend federal enforcement actions, they alienate millions of Americans who don’t share that faith. Public servants swear an oath to the Constitution, not to Christ.

"Our nation is not founded on a religion." US Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch

It is not how students, teachers, parents or administrators respond, but the government edict demanding support for religion that violates the First Amendment. This is what the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has evaded in its decision.

Majoritarianism is not a valid excuse to betray individual rights. To claim an alleged majority as an excuse to impose a belief on everybody is to reject the reality of this country's founding by people seeking refuge from forced belief.

"Brian Shellem, an Edmond businessman and gubernatorial appointee who serves as the board’s chairman, has been unabashed in his vocal support for state sponsorship of openly religious schools, in general, and specifically for the Ben Gamla charter applicant in its anticipated legal challenge."

For years, Christian Nationalists wrote model bills to push religion into public schools. Now secular groups are fighting back—with their own blueprint. And lawmakers in multiple states are already introducing it. This is a huge shift. www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-antipr...

“We are in the early stages,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, “but this is a policy-making effort.” www.cnn.com/2026/02/15/p...

The 2026 Oklahoma legislative session starts next week! Track bills that matter most to you with the ACLU of Oklahoma's comprehensive Bill Tracker. Use the following link for access: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

The Oklahoma Legislature opens MONDAY! Here is this year's preview from the ACLU of Oklahoma::

Using tax dollars for religious schools is forbidden by the Oklahoma state constitution regardless of the religion involved.

A Muslim group appeared to meet every requirement to build a mosque in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The local planning commission approved it. Then the city council killed it after weeks of Islamophobic fear-mongering. www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-proposed...

Join us this Thursday at 8 PM ET for the first of our "America: Beyond 250" speaker series! This virtual event will feature author, renowned historian, and one of the nation's leading experts on church-state separation, Professor Steven K. Green. Don't miss it. Register at atheists.org/beyond250

BREAKING: The Oklahoma Supreme Court just OVERTURNED Ryan Walters' Jesus-centric, conspiracy-heavy social studies standards. (They put a temporarily block on them earlier. Now it's permanent.) Thank goodness. Students deserve history, not propaganda. www.friendlyatheist.com/p/oklahomas-...

This morning’s email from Supt. Fields is a masterclass on how to explain what is already happening (Bibles in schools, always been allowed) & what isn’t ok (Bibles as curriculum) and why (Local control!). As a parent of two public school students, I appreciate the clear communication!

This is the right move. Parents and guardians should determine religious instruction for their children. Not public schools.

What with the announcement that he has no plans to force Bibles or a Biblical character education curriculum in public school classrooms, there’s a lot to like about Supt. Fields & his administration so far!

BREAKING: Oklahoma’s new State Superintendent of Public Instruction is ending his predecessor’s plan to distribute Bibles to every classroom. www.kosu.org/education/20...

“We ... have no plans to distribute Bibles or a Biblical character education curriculum in classrooms,” said State Superintendent Lindel Fields, who replaced Ryan Walters. #oklaed

A religious test? When contacting your elected representative? This email exchange led one Oklahoman to file a complaint. #oklaed genxpletives.substack.com/p/when-an-ok...

INBOX- #Oklahoma public school parents got a link from Superintendent Ryan Walters to enroll in American Virtual Academy, a “pro-American, patriotic education.” Walters says it’s part of his fight against ‘far Left teachers unions and woke educators using the classroom for their political activism.’

State Superintendent Ryan Walters wants the Oklahoma Supreme Court to lift a pause in a lawsuit that opposes purchasing Bibles for classrooms and Biblical supplemental material. The materials currently cannot be purchased by the state. www.kosu.org/education/20...

Jena Nelson is challenging incumbent Rep. Stephanie Bice in Oklahoma’s 5th District, aiming to “restore good government” and protect key programs. | Brett Dickerson reports: freepressokc.com/nelson-takes...

An anti-abortion group backs the Oklahoma law limiting ballot petitions, saying it protects against out-of-state efforts to expand abortion access in conservative states. | Barbara Hoberock with Oklahoma Voice reports: freepressokc.com/anti-abortio...

The new school year fast approaches!

A divided court left in place an Okla. Supreme Court decision that blocked establishment of the nation's first publicly funded religious charter school. The court ruled 4-4, with Justice Barrett recused, which leaves the lower court’s decision in place.

Oklahomans who sought to stop taxpayer funding of religious charter schools celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court’s tie. #oklaed ow.ly/3QUP50VXhQN

An evenly divided U.S. Supreme Court left in place the #Oklahoma Supreme Court's ruling against a #Catholic charter school, meaning laws requiring charter schools to be nonsectarian can remain in place for now. nondoc.com/2025/05/22/s...

The court got it right: It's unconstitutional to fund religious schools with taxpayer dollars. But Christian Nationalists won't stop here, and neither will we. We'll keep fighting to defend the First Amendment against revisionists and religious supremacists. www.atheists.org/2025/05/athe...

Supreme Court leaves in place a ruling to block the nation's first religious charter school. Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case.

"We are pleased that the Supreme Court has let stand the Oklahoma Supreme Court decision that a religious school cannot become a public charter school." -FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott www.reuters.com/world/us/spl...

Americans United's President and CEO Rachel Laser on today's Supreme Court Ruling in the St. Isidore case! www.au.org/the-latest/p...

Wowsers! SCOTUS decided against St. Isidore Catholic Charter School, which was vying to be the first religious charter school in the United States. The separation of Church & State lives on!! And I’m celebrating this as a Catholic. Yes, it’s just that important! 👏👏👏