🚨 Update on LifeWise’s court filing:
LifeWise is telling the Ohio Supreme Court that—because it’s a religious organization—it has a “clear legal right to finality” over its employment decisions, free from review by a “secular tribunal.” It also accuses the former employee of “continuous, unrepentant” misconduct under its handbook.

🔎 In plain terms:
LifeWise is telling the Ohio Supreme Court that because it calls itself religious, it shouldn’t have to answer to the same civil-rights and labor laws that apply to every other employer.

They want the power to make final, unchallengeable employment decisions — firing or disciplining staff under their own “biblical” code — without any review by state agencies or courts.

⚠️ Big picture:

That’s essentially saying, “We don’t have to follow the laws of the land.”

If a group working inside the public-school day can declare itself above neutral, secular laws, it’s not just a workplace issue — it’s a threat to the basic principle that no organization, religious or otherwise, is above the law.

Here’s the problem: The ministerial exception protects truly religious roles (think preaching/teaching doctrine), but it’s not a blanket immunity from civil-rights and labor laws for every employee or every claim. If LifeWise can re-label staff as “ministers” or hide behind sweeping morality clauses, workers lose protection—and districts would be partnering with a group LESS ACCOUNTABLE WHILE IT OPERATES INSIDE THE SCHOOL DAY.

Public schools must only partner with organizations that accept neutral, civil oversight. No carve-outs. No loopholes.

If you’re a LifeWise staffer or district employee with relevant information, document everything and reach out:

Report church–state concerns to FFRF ⬇️

🌐 Online Complaint Form
• Go to: ffrf.org/legal/report
• Choose “Report a State/Church Violation” and fill out the form with details, photos, and documents.

• Email SEA: contact@SecularEducationAssociation.org

💬 Need support or resources? Join our private group for parents, educators, and allies: facebook.com/groups/SecularEducationAssociation

Public schools are not pulpits—and ACCOUNTABILITY ISN’T OPTIONAL.

-Secular Education Association

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/education/2025/06/24/lifewise-seeks-ohio-supreme-court-exemption-in-rachel-snell-dispute/84317389007/

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