“LifeWise’s rise is a cautionary tale about how attempts to infuse religion into public schools are systematically — and intentionally — destabilizing communities and imperiling American democracy.”
READ THIS
If you want to understand what’s happening with LifeWise and Released Time Bible programs across the country — how they operate, how they spread, and how they are reshaping public schools — this article breaks it down with accuracy and receipts.
This isn’t about religion vs. non-religion.
This is about protecting the school day, preventing coercion, and keeping public education inclusive for every student.
If you’ve been trying to explain this to neighbors, school boards, reporters, or relatives — just share this The Revealer article.
https://therevealer.org/spreading-the-gospel-during-school-hours/
Secular Education Association
What people are saying:
- Facebook User: Question? Does a school board need to approve LifeWise or is LifeWise approved by a local school in a district?
- Secular Education Association: Beckie Mostello our understanding is that a district usually has to approve. Schools can’t function independently in that regard. BUT whether the board has the power to reject them depends on your state laws!
- Facebook User: Secular Education Association thank u
- Facebook User: Beckie Mostello please ask your specific board to check with their lawyers. Im in WV and my husband is on the BOE and they were under the impression that it had to be voted on to be implemented. We even had one of our senators come to present support for LifeWise and he agreed there had to be a vote. Counsel said otherwise and for our board to abstain from voting because that would be publicly acknowledging an official position on a religious organization and that would be illegal.
- Secular Education Association: Facebook User Thanks! —this is really helpful context. Quick question: was your board counsel advising no vote on the specific program (LifeWise) and instead to handle it through a neutral released-time policy?
If you’re willing, please DM us the agenda language or minutes. We’re always educating ourselves and tracking how different states handle this, and we’re happy to share anything we learn back with you/your board.
- Facebook User: Secular Education Association so this literally just happened a week ago and nothing has moved forward as of yet. They are looking into things like how the absences are accounted for and the limits of the schools liability. They were advised to create specific policy for whatever form of program is finally decided on by the “hosts” of LifeWise (what days, times, updated sign outs, emergency contacts). As soon as it begins to solidify, I would be happy to share it with you!
- Facebook User: Facebook User Id love to talk to you as well about this
- Facebook User: Facebook User sure! I will try to answer whatever you ask.
- Facebook User: Religion in Public Schools: https://personalmeanderings.substack.com/p/my-personal-thoughts-on-religion
- Facebook User: I Ohio, BOEs are required to give LW access. It’s discouraging to see how far Ohio has fallen in protecting free, public education.
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