# Oklahoma puts the "God" back in "God damn it, this sucks!" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 27, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416 "2024-06-27T21:48:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/161 "2024-11-20T14:29:46Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I can’t find it now, but a couple of years ago, I made a lengthy post about what I called (IIRC) “convenience patriotism”. That phenomenon is what you’re talking about here. “Patriot signalling”. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/162 "2024-11-20T14:50:52Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Let’s see someone demand that Oklahoma schoolchildren say “Allahu akbar”, voluntarily of course (snark) and see what happens. I’ve been pining for this for years. I want to see a Muslim group try and get their religion elevated, somehow, just to watch the meltdown. Surely there’s some Muslim coach/asst coach somewhere that would like to lead the players in a prayer before the game? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/163 "2024-11-20T15:04:51Z")
For a few years now, there has a been a large sculpture of the ten commandments with the words “Laws Of Nature’s God” on it sitting at the entrance of a court house. I forget the name of the judge who had the scukpture placed there and what state the thing is in. The Church Of Satan had a statue of Baphomet constructed and placed at the entrance of a court house. Despite having exactly the same legal status, the statue of Baphomet was ordered removed a day after it had been erected. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/164 "2024-11-20T15:09:15Z")
Yeah, I’m familiar with the Satanic Temple and I think they do good work (what I world when I can type that non ironically). But most people know they aren’t really a religious organization but a free speech/freedom from religion organization, and so they don’t hit quite as hard. At least, not among the informed. I can’t find the cite right now, but a few months ago DeSantis even called them out, saying he wasn’t worried because they’re just play acting (something to that effect). But an actual Muslim, praying, while Johnnie Baptist stands there waiting to take the field? Oh, the wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth that would ensue. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/165 "2024-11-20T16:00:19Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > “Patriot signalling”. Sure, but it’s mostly a subset of “performative patriotism”, only it’s the easiest and laziest expression of it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/166 "2024-11-20T16:52:55Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > > > Let’s see someone demand that Oklahoma schoolchildren say “Allahu akbar”, voluntarily of course (snark) and see what happens. > > I’ve been pining for this for years. I want to see a Muslim group try and get their religion elevated, somehow, just to watch the meltdown. Surely there’s some Muslim coach/asst coach somewhere that would like to lead the players in a prayer before the game? Dearborn, Michigan, perhaps? (Roughly thirty percent are Arab-American.) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/167 "2024-11-20T23:56:30Z")
That Baphomet statue was in Des Moines. Many years ago, there was a granite Ten Commandments monument in a courthouse, and with a lot of negative fanfare, it was moved onto the courthouse grounds. The story disappeared from the news after it was confirmed that an architect determined that the floor could not indefinitely support the weight of that monument. That was all. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/168 "2025-09-25T22:13:06Z")
And guess who has resigned. (TBH, I shudder to think who may replace him.) > **[State Superintendent Ryan Walters resigns, sparking varied reactions at board...](https://www.koco.com/article/ryan-walters-resigns-sparking-reactions-at-board-meeting/68063524)** > > State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced his resignation, leading to widespread discussion at a Board of Education meeting, where attendees expressed hopes for a successor focused on students' needs. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/169 "2025-09-25T22:28:47Z")
Another article about Mr. Walters and his apparent inability to answer questions from reporters. Par for the course, but still cowardly. > **[Watch Ryan Walters literally flee Oklahoma news anchor’s questions after...](https://www.advocate.com/news/ryan-walters-runs-away-resignation#toggle-gdpr)** > > The state schools chief used local Fox affiliate KOKH's studio to make the announcement but ran away when anchor Wendy Suares had some questions. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/170 "2025-10-15T20:36:08Z")
> **[New Oklahoma schools superintendent rescinds mandate for Bible instruction in...](https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-schools-bible-mandate-superintendent-630b2f706731224a070d7fef6a35b7d8)** > > Oklahoma's new public schools superintendent is rescinding a mandate from his predecessor that forced schools to incorporate the Bible into lesson plans for students. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/171 "2025-10-15T20:40:33Z")
Investigation into how much George Soros paid him in 3 … 2 … 1 … ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/172 "2025-10-15T21:28:30Z")
How in the hell are we still engaged in battles like this in the 21st century? Ironically, I’m starting to doubt this “evolution” business. Unless we’ve already peaked, and DEVO is on to something. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/173 "2025-10-15T23:34:00Z")
[![](https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.fineartamerica.com%2Fimages%2Fartworkimages%2Fmediumlarge%2F3%2Ftrump-evolution-gone-wrong-poster-copy-bailey-matthews.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=8209806632b77ba57c2bbb75c1a9a7a8198af80b55a8afbb720e14943e5b02e0) ](https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.fineartamerica.com%2Fimages%2Fartworkimages%2Fmediumlarge%2F3%2Ftrump-evolution-gone-wrong-poster-copy-bailey-matthews.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=8209806632b77ba57c2bbb75c1a9a7a8198af80b55a8afbb720e14943e5b02e0) ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2025, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/174 "2025-11-26T04:26:34Z")
[Bible teaching lawsuit tossed by Oklahoma Supreme Court.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/oklahoma-court-tosses-lawsuit-over-233154070.html) > [@](#): > > The Oklahoma Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a mandate [requiring that the Bible be taught in schools](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/god-bless-usa-bibles-being-141621651.html)after state education officials said the mandate will not be enforced. > > In a 6-2 [decision](https://www.oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=122592) released Monday, the court declared the issue moot after [state education officials](https://www.yahoo.com/news/oklahoma-lawmaker-worried-pink-haired-173547109.html) said they are nullifying [2024 mandates issued by Ryan Walters](https://www.yahoo.com/news/oklahoma-immediately-requires-schools-teach-195918362.html), the former state superintendent who resigned earlier this year, according to the [_Oklahoma Voice_](https://oklahomavoice.com/briefs/oklahoma-supreme-court-tosses-bible-lawsuit-after-education-leader-declines-to-enforce-mandate/). In [June](https://nondoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Immediate-Implementation-of-Foundational-Texts-in-Curriculum.pdf) and [July](https://oklahoma.gov/education/newsroom/2024/july/walters-issues-guidance-on-bible-usage-in-historical--literary-c.html) 2024, Walters issued directives requiring that Oklahoma schools incorporate the Bible into the curriculum for grades 5 through 12. ---
**Author:** ![bmasters1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@bmasters1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmasters1)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2025, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/175 "2025-11-29T11:47:48Z")
> [@Dissonance](#): > > What are you talking about? It very clearly says **the** Bible, so it clearly means our Bible. And by our Bible I mean my Bible. What are you, some kind of communist or Protestant? I think what is meant is which translation– will it have to be King James-only, or will any translation be allowed? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2025, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/176 "2025-11-29T12:14:08Z")
I was curious why, after all that, he resigned. Turns out he joined an anti teacher’s union group. “He said his goal is to “destroy the teachers unions.”” [https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/09/24/walters-to-resign-as-oklahoma-state-superintendent-announces-position-in-national-teacher-group/](https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/09/24/walters-to-resign-as-oklahoma-state-superintendent-announces-position-in-national-teacher-group/) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2025, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/177 "2025-11-29T16:32:09Z")
Sounds like the court punted, rather than declare: “The mandate is fuckin bullshit, don’t come back with it.” ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2025, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/178 "2025-11-29T19:00:17Z")
> [@bmasters1](#): > > I think what is meant is which translation– will it have to be King James-only, or will any translation be allowed? Translation? The King James is the original English as Jesus Himself spoke it. 😜 ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416/179 "2026-05-25T16:50:10Z")
> [@bmasters1](#): > > Or will any translation be allowed? Jeez, I would have prefered the KJ version, my Anglican school got the horrendous “Good News” version, a watered-down born-again happy clappy version. Fortunately for me, as a mischievous choir boy with access to the school church, I had the opportunity to slip in and change the full size KJ bible bookmark on the pulpit to whichever reading I chose. Nothing quite like the chapter Song of Songs for a bunch of horney boys in an all male school. For shits and giggles I might instead choose the interminably dull Deutoronomy, or the fun that is Revalations. Chronicals is always great, if … somewhat unexciting. These readings were made by especially chosen students, who had excelled in Religious Education but were not given a chance to practice the reading in advance from that specific bible. They had studied their own, I suppose, but when the page you open on is all about who begat whom, or whose breasts are like leaping fawns, etc, in front of a crowd of some 650 students and teachers… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-puts-the-god-back-in-god-damn-it-this-sucks/1003416.md?page=8)