Oklahoma Supreme Court rules religious public charter school unconstitutional
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The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Tuesday a state board's approval of what would be the nation's first publicly funded religious school is unconstitutional and must be reversed.
Why it matters: The Oklahoma case comes as Christian nationalists challenge the country's long-held doctrine of separation of church and state and seek public funding of religion in schools amid a conservative super-majority U.S. Supreme Court.
Driving the news: Oklahoma's high court said the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board's 3-2 vote last year to approve the St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School violates both Oklahoma and U.S. constitutions.
- The online public charter school would have been open to students across the state K-12, and its goal would be to evangelize students in the Catholic faith.
- The Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma submitted the school's application.
Zoom in: "Under Oklahoma law, a charter school is a public school. As such, a charter school must be nonsectarian," the court said.
- "However, St. Isidore will evangelize the Catholic faith as part of its school curriculum while sponsored by the State."
- "This State's establishment of a religious charter school violates Oklahoma statutes, the Oklahoma Constitution, and the Establishment Clause."
State of play: The case drew national attention as supporters of the school and other conservatives felt recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions showed the court was open to public funds going to religious schools.
- It came amid a new Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in classrooms.
- The cases are drawing new scrutiny to Christian nationalism, a once-fringe movement steadily gaining political power in the U.S.
The intrigue: Oklahoma GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt and State Superintendent Ryan Walters supported the state board's approval of the school and said it was an example of religious freedom.
- The school also attracted support from conservative legal groups such as the Alliance Defending Freedom.
Yes, but: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed suit and said the school violated both the state and federal law.
- A group of parents, faith leaders and a public education nonprofit also sued to stop the establishment of the school, per the AP.
What they're saying: "Today's ruling is very disappointing for the hundreds of prospective students and their families from across the state of Oklahoma," Archbishop Paul Coakley, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and Bishop David Konderla, Diocese of Tulsa, said in a statement.
- "We will consider all legal options and remain steadfast in our belief that St. Isidore would have and could still be a valuable asset to students, regardless of socioeconomic, race or faith backgrounds."
Between the lines: Christian nationalism seeks to establish a country around white American Christianity's dominance in most aspects of life in the United States.
- Many adherents believe U.S. laws should be based on Christian values, and that God has called on Christians to exercise dominion over all areas of American society.
- Adherents and allies of the movement in evangelical and conservative Catholic circles have aligned themselves with Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
Go deeper: Axios Explains: Christian nationalism on the march
