Thou Shalt Not Worship False Idols
In a stunning display of contradiction, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has mandated public schools show a video in which he invites students to join him in prayer for Donald Trump, announces the creation of an Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism, and criticizes “woke” teachers and unions. This decree is deeply problematic not only from a legal and ethical standpoint but also because of its blatant hypocrisy.
Walters, a strong proponent of placing the Ten Commandments in every classroom, appears to have missed the most basic lesson from the very teachings he seeks to enshrine: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image” and “Thou shalt not have any other gods before me.”
Let’s break this down.
The video invites students to pray for Donald Trump, singling him out for divine support while positioning him as a central figure in Walters’ vision of faith and patriotism. This crosses a dangerous line into idolatry, a concept condemned in the Ten Commandments. By elevating a political figure to such spiritual importance, Walters conflates religious devotion with political loyalty that undermines the core principles of both democracy and Christianity.
The Bible warns against worshiping false idols, whether they are golden calves, ideologies, or human leaders. While praying for leaders in general is a common practice, directing that prayer specifically toward one individual within a public school setting not only violates the separation of church and state but also distorts the teachings Walters claims to uphold.
Walters has previously pushed for the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom. However, this latest action reveals a fundamental disconnect between his rhetoric and his actions.
1. Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness
— Walters’ rhetoric in the video includes inflammatory accusations about the “radical left” and “woke teachers’ unions.” By painting an entire group with such a broad and hostile brush, he engages in divisive and misleading claims, violating the spirit of honesty and integrity.
2. Thou Shalt Not Covet
— His push to intertwine religion and politics seems less about genuine faith and more about consolidating power, attention, and loyalty. Coveting political influence under the guise of religious liberty is a misuse of the teachings he claims to champion.
3. Remember the Sabbath and Keep It Holy
— The integration of religious practices into public schools, where faith becomes a tool for political gain, trivializes genuine religious observance. Instead of respecting the sanctity of prayer, Walters weaponizes it for a partisan agenda.
4. Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me
— By conflating patriotism, religion, and political figures, Walters inadvertently asks students to place their trust and devotion not in God, but in a constructed ideal centered around nationalism and a single political leader.
Public schools are meant to educate — not indoctrinate. They serve students from diverse religious, cultural, and political backgrounds, and imposing a specific faith or political agenda undermines their mission to create an inclusive and welcoming environment.
This mandate is also a direct violation of the First Amendment, which guarantees the separation of church and state. Public schools cannot legally endorse or promote specific religious practices, let alone link them to partisan politics. Walters’ claim that this initiative is a defense of “religious liberty” is disingenuous; instead of protecting students’ rights to practice their own beliefs, he imposes his own on everyone else.
By equating religious devotion with nationalism and loyalty to a specific political leader, Walters dismisses those who may practice different faiths — or no faith at all — and those who hold different political views. Even though the prayer is “optional,” the mandate to show this video creates a coercive environment where students and educators may feel pressured to conform to Walters’ vision, whether or not they agree with it.
If Walters truly believes in the importance of the Ten Commandments, he must start by living by their teachings. Invoking God’s name to further a political agenda, promoting division, and forcing personal beliefs onto others are antithetical to the values he claims to uphold.
The Bible says, “By their fruits, you will know them” (Matthew 7:16). What are the fruits of Walters’ actions? A divided community, distrust in public education, and a dangerous precedent of intertwining religion with partisan politics.
Faith, like patriotism, should never be coerced. It flourishes in authenticity, not mandates. Walters should remember that before he compels students to pray with him or asks them to view a political figure as more than human. For now, his actions speak louder than his words — and they speak of hypocrisy, not faith.
