š Congratulations to Ohio County, WV for successfully stopping Lifewise in their district!! š
Because of “great interest from the community, the board took it up, considered it closely, and it was a 3-2 vote to not permit the children to be taken out or a policy that permits that.ā
“What we accomplished tonight was the community was able to speak,ā Croft said.
šØThis is why local decision making matters. The community spoke and elected officials listened. šØ
Unfortunately, the fight isnāt over, especially with state legislatures looking to override local voices during an election year.
At SEA weāve seen this playbook before ā local decisions get trampled by state supermajorities. Thatās why our best weapon is spreading the word: talking to neighbors, showing up at meetings, and making sure communities know whatās at stake when religion crosses into public schools.
Every time we raise awareness, we make it harder for Christian Nationalist groups to quietly normalize these programs. One communityās stand strengthens us all. šŖā
What people are saying:
- Facebook User: you do understand this has nothing to do with your schools right? its is a voluntary program, not funded by any tax money, done on lunch hour (kids participating pack a lunch that day) and….. not on school property How is this not separation of church and state? Do you know how convenient this is for parents ? 99% both parents working, running around daily till 7,8 pm just to have 45 min. of positive teachings THAT IS VOLUNTARY !!!looks like they need to take Christmas parties, Christmas break away…(you need to stand up and do the right thing and get rid of Christmas break.) this is a good program for children that want to participate its a shame.
- Secular Education Association: Facebook User We hear this a lot, so letās clear it up.
š Release-time religious instruction may be āvoluntary,ā but itās not separate from public schools. Schools are the ones excusing kids from class, keeping attendance, and managing the logistics. Thatās an official endorsement, and thatās exactly why the Supreme Court said in Zorach v. Clauson that strict safeguards are required.
š Itās not really āconvenient for parents.ā What it does is carve up the school day, disrupt instruction, and send a message to kids who donāt go that theyāre outsiders. And most of the time, kids arenāt leaving at lunch or recess ā theyāre pulled from specials like art, music, or gym, which are vital parts of a well-rounded education. If families want their children in religious classes, thatās their choice, but prioritizing faith instruction is a family decision, not something that should be managed or accommodated by a public school.
š Funding isnāt the only issue. Even if tax dollars donāt directly pay for the program, the public school system is being used to funnel students into itāduring the very hours set aside for education. Thatās a problem for the integrity of public education.
š And as for Christmas: cultural holidays are not the same thing as letting outside religious ministries take children off campus for indoctrination. Public schools already struggle to make those celebrations inclusive; comparing the two doesnāt hold up.
At the end of the day, SEA isnāt against anyoneās private practice of faith. Weāre against public schools being co-opted as recruitment pipelines for religious groups. Children deserve a school day that is free from religious pressure and inclusive of all families.
- Facebook User: Secular Education Association All i hear is alot of excuses, i know alot of kids in my church that are in this program and I have donated to this ….They are not excused from classes, they are going on their lunch time lets clear that up .They are not missing recess or art or gym that is not true ,And about Christmas..What is Christmas? yes its when Jesus was born…say whatever you want but…schools give Christmas break its about what it represents.. the schools are doing nothing except watching them get on a bus and off a bus, back into school like Belmont county does or if your lucky its close enough to walk to..if the district cant handle that it has alot more problems…. funnel students, Indoctrination, recruitment pipelines? your words speaks worlds about your agenda, no Christian would speak like that…I hear nothing but positive comments from teachers and parents in Belmont County and they are trying to incorporate High School students.. its very sad this hurts no one. oh yea again its VOLUNTARY. before I go..I read your associations Mission Statement Im pretty sure I read between the lines but to be clear so i dont misrepresent where do you stand on boys playing girls sports, coed bathrooms and locker rooms, and teaching sexual content to grade school kids? thank you for your response.
- Secular Education Association: Facebook User We hear this a lot, so letās clear it up.
- Facebook User: The fascist Christian Nationalists won’t stop. Thank goodness the community fought back.
- Facebook User: Thank you, this is extremely important work
- Facebook User: Thank you SEA!
- Facebook User: Separate church and state.
Churches DO NOT belong in public schools, and my tax dollars should not go to a voucher program for the private religious schools. - Facebook User: This was very impressive! Thoughtful and wise discussion. Logic and reason. Lifewise works from the emotional, which can be very powerful. Thankful that for the moment, reason and public education prevailed!
- Facebook User: Facebook User
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