Faith Facts

• Parents have the God-given right to direct the education of their children in line with their faith and values.
• Oklahoma’s school choice debate centers on preserving traditional education rooted in moral and civic principles.
• The proposed charter sought to offer a virtual Jewish education option within the public system.

The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board rejected a proposal for a new Jewish charter school on a 3-2 vote this week.

The plan would have created the first publicly funded Jewish virtual school in the state, but the board said the application did not meet required standards.

Supporters of the measure argued the school would give Jewish families another educational choice while still meeting state academic requirements.

“We are disappointed by the board’s decision and intend to appeal,” said a spokesperson for the school’s organizing group.

The rejection comes amid broader national conversations about school choice, parental rights, and the proper role of faith-based education in public systems.

Critics raised concerns that the charter would blur the line between public funding and religious instruction, a point the board cited in its deliberations.

Organizers maintain the curriculum would comply with state standards while allowing students to explore Jewish history and culture.

“We believe every family should have access to an education that reflects their values,” said another backer of the proposal.

The board’s decision may be appealed through Oklahoma’s administrative process or pursued in court.

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Faith Facts

• Tyler Perry’s upcoming Netflix film “The Gospel of Christmas” centers on Christian faith and the Christmas story.
• The project features prominent gospel artists CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, and Kirk Franklin in key roles.
• The film stars Christian recording artist Fantasia Barrino Taylor and R&B singer Durrell “Tank” Babbs.

Tyler Perry is preparing a faith-focused Christmas drama for Netflix that highlights the gospel music tradition and the message of Christmas.

The film, titled “The Gospel of Christmas,” will feature several well-known voices from Christian and gospel music, including CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, and Kirk Franklin.

Fantasia Barrino Taylor, known for her Christian music career, stars alongside R&B singer Durrell “Tank” Babbs in the lead roles.

Perry’s project continues his pattern of producing stories that center faith, family, and traditional values for a broad audience.

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Faith Facts

• Germany’s main Protestant and Catholic church bodies are uniting to demand moral oversight of artificial intelligence tools used by children.
• The initiative calls for binding standards and a code of conduct for developers to protect young users.
• Christian leaders are emphasizing family values and parental responsibility in shaping the future of technology.

Germany’s leading Protestant and Catholic church bodies have partnered with a children’s media association to launch a new initiative.

The effort calls for binding standards on artificial intelligence products used by children, including a code of conduct for developers and new legal obligations for providers.

“This is about protecting the dignity of the child and upholding the values that have shaped our civilization,” said a church spokesman involved in the initiative.

The move reflects growing concern among Christian communities about the moral and spiritual impact of unchecked technology on the next generation.

Parents and church leaders are urging policymakers to ensure that AI tools respect traditional values and do not undermine the role of the family.

“We cannot leave the formation of our children’s minds to algorithms designed without reference to faith or morality,” the spokesman added.

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