Bible (Picture credit: Reuters)

The battle over the role of religion in public education is intensifying across the United States. With conservative-led states pushing to integrate Christian teachings into classrooms and others firmly resisting, the division is more pronounced than ever. While some see this as a return to the nation’s religious roots, others argue it threatens the fundamental principle of church-state separation enshrined in the First Amendment. The debate has now extended to curriculum decisions, with states diverging sharply in their approach to religious influence in public education.

Secular pushback in some states

Amid mounting pressure from religious conservatives, some states remain steadfast in upholding a secular public education system. Legal challenges, historical precedents, and advocacy from civil rights groups have reinforced their stance, ensuring that public schools remain neutral on matters of faith.
Oklahoma, despite its recent push for Christian teachings in classrooms, has faced internal resistance. State Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a Republican, opposed Superintendent Ryan Walters’ directives, stating that mandating religious content in public schools violates constitutional principles and parental rights. Similarly, Louisiana’s law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms has been stalled by legal challenges, with critics arguing it imposes religious doctrine in a secular space.
Missouri and other states have also witnessed legal disputes over policies shaped by religious beliefs. The US Supreme Court’s decision to hear a case on Oklahoma’s attempt to establish a religious charter school will be a crucial test for church-state separation, with potential nationwide implications.

States redefining the church-state divide in schools

At the same time, a growing number of conservative-led states are actively working to erode the traditional separation of church and state in public education. These efforts are driven by the belief that America was founded as a Christian nation and that its schools should reflect those values.
Oklahoma has become a focal point of this movement, with Superintendent Ryan Walters leading the charge. His policies—including pushing for Bible readings, advocating for a Catholic charter school, and appointing right-wing activists to educational committees—mirror a broader trend across several Republican-controlled states. Texas lawmakers have signaled their intent to pass laws requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms, while Idaho legislators have introduced bills mandating daily Bible readings in public schools.
President Donald Trump’s influence has further emboldened this push. His administration championed policies that expanded school vouchers, allowing public funds to be directed to religious schools, and his recent proposals include initiatives to combat what he calls “anti-Christian bias” in federal institutions. With a conservative-majority Supreme Court, supporters of these measures see an opportunity to reshape legal interpretations of church-state separation.

The impact on curriculum: Two diverging paths

This deepening divide is not just a legal and ideological battle—it is fundamentally reshaping what students learn in classrooms across the United States. States aligning with church-state separation have prioritised science-based curricula and inclusive education, ensuring that subjects like evolution, climate change, and social diversity are taught without religious interference. In contrast, states advocating for Christian values in education are altering their curricula to reflect religious perspectives.
In some conservative-led states, history textbooks have been revised to emphasise the role of Christianity in America’s founding. Science education has also been affected, with some districts promoting “intelligent design” alongside or in place of evolution. Laws allowing school vouchers have diverted public funds toward private religious schools, many of which teach biblical interpretations of history, gender, and science.
On the other hand, states maintaining a firm separation of church and state continue to emphasise academic integrity and inclusivity. They have incorporated lessons on LGBTQ+ history and resisted attempts to introduce religious teachings into science classrooms. These contrasting approaches are leading to vastly different educational experiences for students, depending on where they live.

A nation divided in education

As the debate over church-state separation intensifies, the future of public education in the US remains uncertain. The upcoming Supreme Court ruling on Oklahoma’s religious charter school could set a precedent that either reinforces secular education or opens the door for further religious influence in public schools. Regardless of the outcome, the divide between states adhering to church-state separation and those seeking to dismantle it continues to shape the nation’s educational landscape. With lawmakers, activists, and courts locked in an ongoing battle, the question remains: Will American schools serve as neutral institutions of learning, or will they become battlegrounds for ideological and religious influence?