The Oklahoma State Legislature discussed and passed SB36, affecting education by allowing “school districts to employ or accept volunteer chaplains” (http:// www.oklegislature.gov ). This proposal, authored by Sen. Nathan Dahm (R) and Rep. Kevin West (R), would erase the constitutional line between church and state, like so many actions by our state’s government this spring.
Nevertheless, the recommendation was sent to the governor. Without his signature, the bill became law June 2, 2024 (http: www.oklegislature.
gov).
Already, public tax money in the form of “tax credits” is now being siphoned to private schools, private religious schools, and homeschools. Allowing religious leaders an official entry into public schools is yet another blow to keeping church and government separated.
Why is there a movement by state Republicans to “Christianize” public learning institutions? Clearly, they have no regard nor respect for religions (or no religion) other than their own sect of Christian Nationalism.
SB36 fulfills the agenda of the National School Chaplain Association and its parent organization, Mission Generation, Inc. These groups state that students are “the largest unreached people group” (Ryan D. Jayne, “It’s Obvious Oklahoma’s School Chaplain Bill Was Written with a Specific Religion in Mind,” May 6, 2024, http://www.oklahoman. com).
The plan is to take advantage of “the massive lack of school counselors throughout public schools” by filling the dearth of trained school counselors with religious chaplains to “win” and “disciple” school age children (Jayne).
Primarily, Christian indoctrination of students attending a public school is clearly unconstitutional. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…” (http://www.constitution.congress. gov). Europeans fled to this country initially to escape religious persecution and to be free to worship (or not worship) as they pleased.
This Constitutional violation is just inviting a plethora of credible lawsuits from parents and students with support from such organizations as the Freedom from Religion Foundation (Jayne). The ACLU is also joining civil rights organizations and faith groups.
“Allowing chaplains in public schools violates students’ and families’ rights to religious freedom” (Heather L. Weaver, “Why Allowing Chaplains in Public Schools Harms Students,” March 15, 2024, http:// www.aclu.org).
Oklahomans are already paying millions of dollars to defend lawsuits filed against the state. The Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency reported six months ago that the Office of Management and Enterprise Services paid over $3.3 million in state legal fees for Gov. Stitt’s lawsuits over tribal compacts (Kaylee Douglas and Ashley Moss, “Ongoing Vendetta Against Tribal Nations: State Spends Over $3.3 Million to Pay for Compact Legal Fees, Report Finds,” December 2023, http://www.kfor.com).
When SB36 becomes law and allows Christian chaplains to assume a role in public schools, what message is sent to those of different faiths and beliefs?
The Pew Research Center shows 66% of adults in Oklahoma believe themselves to be highly religious. In this category, 40% identify as Baptists, 14% as Methodists, and 10% as Catholic, while 36% belong to other Christian denominations. Yet in Oklahoma City alone there are nine Buddhist temples, four Muslim mosques, two Hindu temples, and six Jewish synagogues (http://www.abetterlifeokc.com).
Certainly, an unintended consequence of the introduction of Christian chaplains into public schools is the prospect of chaplains from The Satanic Temple requesting access as well.
We know this group is planning such action. “It’s clearly a bit of bill mill legislation being put forward by outside interests, lobbyists, and it’s unclear to me whether the sponsors in Oklahoma actually read the bill or haven’t or if it’s just another culture war item,” states Lucien Greaves, founder and spokesperson for the Satanic Temple (Kaylee Olivia’s, “We Will Put Satanists in the Schools: The Satanic Temple to Send Ministers to Oklahoma If Bill Allowing School Chaplains Is Signed into Law,” April 30,2024, http://www.kfor.com).
Another conflict could arise within the Christian community itself. Christian denominations differ concerning the role of women in ministry. Would women be denied as school chaplains? Are chaplains the same as ministers?
Hartford International University explains, “A pastor, minister, priest, and chaplain are all religious leaders of one kind or another” (“What Are the Roles of Chaplain, Minister, Pastor, or Priest?” March16,2023, http://www.blig. hartfordinternational.edu ).
Several Christian denominations that do not support the ordination of women are the Orthodox Church in America, the Roman Catholic Church, the American Baptist Association, Evangelical Free Church of America, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and the Southern Baptist Convention (Christian Post Staff, “7 Christian Denominations That Don’t Allow Women to Serve as Pastor,” August 14,2023, http:// www.thechristianpost.com ).
Other concerns arise at the prospect of chaplains in public schools. Does SB36 require educational training, and will funds be given by the state for such training? The Oklahoma State Department of Education website specifically states that school counselors must pass the Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT) in School Counseling or School Counselor Praxis.
A master’s degree in any field other than school counseling is not accepted as a counseling-related field. Clergy experience is not considered counseling-related work experience unless there is credible, specific counseling experience with children and adolescents (Oklahoma School Counseling Certification, “Frequently Asked Questions,” http://www.sde.ok.gov).
Without proper training, will chaplains obey public school confidentiality laws? Will chaplains protect student and parental rights? Will chaplains recognize mental illness and know channels to obtain proper, professional care?
Is the Oklahoma legislature effort to place Christian chaplains in public schools a ”Band Aid” attempt to address the shortage of school counselors in this state without any expenditures? Is SB36 an attempt to Christianize minors in a public setting?
A similar law was attempted by the Texas legislature with no success. Texas Rep. James Talarico (D) is a Presbyterian seminarian and led the opposition. “He said that without sufficient guardrails, chaplains would wind up as a vehicle for Christian power, which he sees as countering the Gospel” (Michelle Boorstein, “Putting Chaplains in Public Schools Is the Latest Battle in Culture Wars,” March 22, 2024, http://www.washingtonpost.com ).
“Jesus never asked us to establish a Christian theocracy,” Talarico continued. “All he asked was that we love thy neighbor” (Boorstein).
Peter the Apostle advises best, “…in your hearts honor Christ the lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks a reason for the hope that is within you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (I Peter 3:15 ESV, http://www.youversion.com ).
Mandating Christian chaplains in Oklahoma public schools is neither gentle nor respectful. If parents and students desire a Christian chaplain or counselor, many private choices are available. Or why not enroll in a Christian school that offers Christian chaplains?
Theocracies have never been successful, not even in the Old Testament, with Constantine or with all the Popes who instigated the Crusades. Proselytizing one’s religion, any religion, has no place in public schools for legal and ethical reasons.
It is time for our state lawmakers to obey the United States Constitution and to protect our democracy. Contact your senator and state representative to tell them SB36, allowing chaplains in public schools, is a bad law.
So much could possibly go wrong.