School Chaplaincy Proposal Resurrected
April 23, 2024
A proposal thought to be dead that would allow Oklahoma public schools to employ chaplains was resurrected in the state House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 36, originally an amendment to the Oklahoma Open Records Act, made a comeback replacing three other school chaplaincy proposals that failed this session.
With the three amendments filed yesterday, the bill would allow schools to use paid or volunteer chaplains who are members of the clergy with a graduate degree in theology or religious studies. They would also be required to have an endorsement from their faith group, pass a background check and meet other requirements.
As amended, the chaplains would be prohibited from proselytizing and would be required to be open to religious pluralism. Parents would be allowed to decline chaplaincy services for their students.
That’s more restrictive than similar bills adopted in Texas and Florida; both of which were denounced by chaplains. In Oklahoma, the idea was criticized by religious leaders and the Oklahoma Faith Network, formerly known as the Council of Churches.
Among the concerns expressed by opponents is that schools would take advantage of the law to replace certified school counselors with chaplains.
The Religion News Service covered the Texas legislation, writing that, “… the chaplains bill was carried by an alliance of right-wing activists, Christian groups and conservative lawmakers who have aided each other’s rise while championing forms of Christian nationalism.”
The group behind the Texas, Florida and Oklahoma legislation is the Norman-based National School Chaplains Association, whose website includes a primer on skirting the separation of church and state doctrine.
The bill will not progress if it is not heard on the House Floor by Thursday’s deadline.
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Oklahoma City’s Festival of the Arts draws annual attendance of about 750,000.
Ciao for now,
Ted Streuli
Executive Director, Oklahoma Watch
tstreuli@oklahomawatch.org
