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Anti-Evolution Bill Moves Forward In Okla.

Jun 1, 2017

Oklahoma legislators are considering a bill that would undermine sound science education in the state’s public schools.

SB 393 passed the state Senate and was facing a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives as this issue went to press. It would encourage public school teachers to teach “scientific controversies.”

Critics of the bill, including Americans United, argued that “scientific controversy” is code for undermining evolution with religious concepts like intelligent design and creationism.

Okla. And Ind. Consider Religion-In-School Bills

Mar 31, 2017

Americans United is speaking out against a bill in Oklaho­ma that would bring formal prayer back into public schools.

The bill, SB 450, is euphemistically called the “Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act.” The measure would prohibit school districts from restricting what it calls a student’s “voluntary religious expression in the classroom.”

Harming Religious Freedom: For Some Oklahoma Senators, It’s As Easy As 1, 2, 3

Feb 22, 2017 by Legislative Department in Wall of Separation

Within 15 minutes it was done: The Oklahoma Senate Judiciary Committee voted to pass three extreme bills yesterday – with no debate. The first bill would allow prayer in public schools (SB 450), the second would make the state’s law requiring parental consent for a minor to receive abortion care even more severe (SB 753) and the third would gut the state’s civil rights laws by allowing a range of individuals and businesses to discriminate as long as it’s based on a sincerely held religious belief (SB 197). It was as easy as 1, 2, 3.

New Wave of Anti-Sharia Bills Betray Religious Freedom

Jan 13, 2017 by John McGinnis in Wall of Separation

Most state legislative sessions are just starting up, yet we have already seen legislators introduce 13 bills in nine states that would prohibit the “application of foreign laws” in state courts. Now, on the surface, that might not sound like a church-state issue, but that’s by design. The troubling fact is that these bills are driven by anti-Muslim animus and the spurious fear that Sharia law is infiltrating our legal system.

Bending It Like Becket: Anti-Separation Legal Group Spreads Falsehoods About Oklahoma’s ‘No-Aid’ Clause

Nov 3, 2016 in Wall of Separation

By Kelly Percival

Thirty-eight states protect religious liberty in their constitutions by prohibiting taxpayer money from being used to fund religion or religious institutions. These “no-aid clauses” safeguard the integrity of houses of worship by ensuring that they do not become beholden to state interests. Next week, however, Oklahoma voters will face State Question 790, a dangerous ballot measure that, if passed, would repeal Oklahoma’s no-aid-to-religion clause and erode the separation of church and state there.

Okla. Governor Calls For Prayers For Oil Industry

Nov 1, 2016

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin last month called on state residents to pray for the oil industry.

Fallin issued a proclamation declaring Oct. 13 “Oilfield Prayer Day.” The proclamation notes that “Oklahoma is blessed with an abundance of oil and natural gas” and “Christians acknowledge such natural resources are created by God.” It concludes by asking residents to “thank God for the blessings created by the oil and natural gas industry and to seek His wisdom and ask for protection.” The proclamation was later altered to remove specific Christian references.

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