Oklahoma

It’s obvious Oklahoma’s school chaplains bill was written with a specific religion in mind

Published

6 months ago

May 6, 2024

It’s obvious Oklahoma’s school chaplains bill was written with a specific religion in mind

Ryan D. Jayne
| Guest columnist

An Oklahoma bill allowing public schools to hire paid or volunteer chaplains to proselytize school-age children has recently passed the Oklahoma House and is headed to the Senate. It must be voted down.

Senate Bill 36 would permit chaplains to “provide support, services, and programs for students” in public schools. Unlike the qualified counselors they might replace, the chaplains would not be required to undergo certification by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. They would only have to pass a background check confirming they are not a sex offender.

Notably, the bill has no safeguards against the fundamental constitutional violations it produces. Public schools are not allowed to promote religion over nonreligion or to prefer one religion over another. Yet, school officials could presumably choose to hire chaplains who share their own beliefs to proselytize children of other religions or no religion during school hours. Religious instruction or counseling has no place in our public schools — and students should not be made to feel disfavored or “othered” for not belonging to the same religion or church as school officials.

If SB 36 were to pass through both chambers, it would invite schools to launch headlong into costly, unwinnable lawsuits. We’re already seeing this play out in Texas, where a similar bill was passed last year, and schools are now voting on chaplain programs. Those who hire chaplains to religiously counsel students during the school day can look forward to lawsuits from students and parents represented by groups like the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

More: Satanist group will participate in Oklahoma public schools chaplaincy program if approved

The National School Chaplain Association is championing chaplains in schools. Its parent organization, Mission Generation Inc., aims to reach “the largest unreached people group inside of the schools around the world” to “influence those in education until the saving grace of Jesus becomes well-known, and students develop a personal relationship with Him.” In Mission Generation’s own words, the organization wants to exploit the “massive lack of school counselors throughout public schools” by filling the void with religious chaplains in order to “win” and “disciple” school-age children.

Oklahoma state Rep. Kevin West, who authored drastically revised language for SB 36, which originally regulated law enforcement recording equipment, has stated that his bill does not “run afoul of our Constitution.” West is wrong. It is clear that the bill was written with one specific religion in mind, and chaplains would undoubtedly push their religious beliefs onto vulnerable children during the school day.

The Oklahoma Senate should outright reject this imprudent and unconstitutional bill. The Sooner State must keep its public school system secular and inclusive of all students.

Ryan D. Jayne is senior policy counsel for the FFRF Action Fund, the lobbying arm of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national nonprofit with approximately 40,000 members across the country, including hundreds of members in Oklahoma.

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Oklahoma

Gusty Wednesday After Storms Overnight

Published

3 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Press Room

Another beautiful fall day is underway!

A northwest wind brings in some cooler air Wednesday afternoon. Much of the state sees a frost on Thursday morning. A freeze is more likely in the West and North.

Oklahoma has already beaten its rainfall record for November.

What is the weather like on Wednesday?

Rain chances in the metro increase after midnight, into early Wednesday morning. There is a very low risk that the storms out west will become pulse severe, with winds up to 60 mph and up to quarter-size hail.

May be an image of map and text that says '9 CHANCE OF RAIN & STORMS THIS EVENING TONIGHT GUYMON LEGEND 70% ALVA 70% WOODWARD LIKELY 70% 60% PONCA CITY ENID 40% MIAMI MODERATE 60% STILLWATER 44 40% TULSA 60% CLINTON SLIGHT 40% OKLAHOMA CITY 60% HOBART 20% SALLISAW 40% ALT ALTUS 40% LAWTON 20% 20% MCALESTER ADA 20% ARDMORE 44 20% DURANT IDABEL IDA BEL'

The highest rainfall will likely be along and north of Hwy 412, where up to .5″ in isolated spots will be possible.

Winds will really increase tonight and especially Wednesday morning.

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What is the weather like in Oklahoma this week?

Much of the state sees a frost on Thursday morning. A freeze is more likely in the West and North!

COLD FRONT:

We are still watching a big cold blast around November 20!

This will bring the coldest air of the season to Oklahoma, likely widespread in the 20s. Some data suggests a little snow, but we will see.

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Follow our meteorologists!

Meteorologist David Payne

Meteorologist Lacey Swope

Meteorologist Jed Castles

Meteorologist Cassie Heiter

Meteorologist Justin Rudicel

Meteorologist Andrew Adams

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Oklahoma

WATCH: Oklahoma Softball Newcomer Media Day

Published

11 hours ago

November 12, 2024

Press Room

WATCH: Oklahoma Softball Newcomer Media Day

RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is deputy editor at AllSooners and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City.

Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more.

Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com.

Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters.

Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK.

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Oklahoma

How Oklahoma State football’s Iman Oates first sack was a sign he had made his mark on DL

Published

18 hours ago

November 12, 2024

Press Room

How Oklahoma State football’s Iman Oates first sack was a sign he had made his mark on DL

STILLWATER — Iman Oates was happy to have put pressure on the quarterback.

The Oklahoma State defensive tackle pulled TCU quarterback Josh Hoover to the ground in the first quarter of what turned out to be a 38-13 Cowboy loss Saturday night at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.

Hoover tried to escape the pressure, but Oates dove, grabbing the quarterback and pulling him to the ground.

“I thought he threw the ball away,” Oates said. “Then I got up and Kody Waltersheid was like, ‘Let’s go, Iman!’

“I was like, ‘Oh, it’s a sack.’”

Not just any sack, but Oates’ first of the season, and thus, the first of his OSU career.

Oates added another tackle for loss among his four stops Saturday as the product of Tulsa Edison High School and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M has turned into one of the Cowboys’ more reliable defensive linemen.

The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Oates redshirted last year, but quickly stepped in on a line full of returning players and made his mark. For the season, he has played 480 snaps, fifth-most on the defense and most among defensive linemen.

With one year of eligibility remaining, Oates should continue to be an impact player on what will be a mostly rebuilt defensive line next season.

Here’s a look at other Cowboys on the move in this week’s stock report:

Oklahoma State stock report

Stock rising

Brennan Presley, receiver: The super-senior receiver became the Cowboys’ all-time leader in pass receptions, surpassing Rashaun Woods’ record of 293. Presley now has 297 for his career and surpassed the 5,000-yard mark in all-purpose yards, becoming the fourth OSU player to do so. In a year that has been hard to watch for Cowboy fans, Presley continues to be a ray of sunshine.

Young players’ development: Particularly on defense, the Cowboys got an extended look at some young players in the primary rotation for the first time. Now, with a week off, coach Mike Gundy said it would be a good time to let those players work their way toward more game snaps when the Pokes host Texas Tech on Nov. 23.

Stock falling

Veterans’ playing time: The flipside of the young players getting more involvement means veterans, especially those who are nearing the end of their careers, will have to share more time. Maybe some young offensive linemen work in with super-senior starters. The same will continue to happen at safety and on the defensive line.

Alan Bowman, quarterback: He’s one of those super-seniors in danger of losing playing time in the final two games. The veteran quarterback deserves a proper senior salute for what he has given the program in a time of need. But the Cowboys need to be forward-thinking about the rest of the season. True freshman Maealiuaki Smith can play in the final two games without burning his redshirt, and it’s rare to have this opportunity to get a rookie QB meaningful snaps without endangering the status of your team.

Oklahoma State redshirt tracker

Da’Wain Lofton looks destined to redshirt in his true senior season.

After transferring from Virginia Tech, Lofton was limited by an injury early in the season, but got on the field for four games.

However, he didn’t make the trip to Fort Worth, Texas, for the TCU game, so it looks like his season is over. Playing in a backup role to slot receiver Brennan Presley, Lofton had 140 receiving yards on six catches.

Lofton has played inside and outside receiver during his college career, and depending on what happens with the OSU roster, he could be in line for a prime role next season.

Also, true freshman safety David Kabongo played in his fifth game of the season, wiping out his redshirt status. No other freshmen are in danger of surpassing the four-game mark over the final two weeks of the season.

And the Pokes debuted an unexpected freshman on Saturday. Linebacker/edge rusher Yamil Talib, a walk-on from Dallas, played five snaps, primarily as a pass rusher. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Talib is the nephew of former Kansas standout and NFL cornerback Aqib Talib.

Here’s a look at the OSU redshirt tracker with two games remaining:

Played in more than four games: Landyn Cleveland, Fr.; Josh Ford, Fr.; David Kabongo, Fr.
Played in four games: Gavin Freeman, Jr.; Da’Wain Lofton, Sr.
Played in three games: None
Played in two games: Jonathan Agumadu, Fr.; Rodney Fields Jr., Fr.; Collin Oliver, Sr.; Maealiuaki Smith, Fr.
Played in one game: Yamil Talib, Fr.
Other non-freshman redshirt candidates: A.J. Green, Sr. (0 games)

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