📄 We submitted formal opposition to West Virginia SB 171 — and we’re making it public.
The Secular Education Association has submitted a formal letter of opposition to West Virginia Senate Bill 171 to every member of the Senate Education Committee.
West Virginia SB 171 is model legislation written to advance the business interests of a single out-of-state religious instruction corporation, not a response to any demonstrated need in West Virginia public schools. It strips local control from school boards, interferes with instructional time, and is structured to provoke constitutional challenges rather than serve students.
Despite the talking points, mandated released time religious instruction:
• Disrupts the school day for all students
• Creates serious administrative and scheduling burdens
• Invites coercion, peer pressure, and exclusion
• Undermines religious pluralism in public education
Every concern raised in this letter is documented, not theoretical. Parents, educators, and students across the country are already experiencing the consequences of similar legislation.
📄 Read the full opposition letter to West Virginia SB 171 here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s0wguQLXdt4ZZos6nmRSY_ySE5Nxn6GEv0x_YztK3CU/edit?usp=sharing
Public schools must remain neutral spaces where every child can learn without religious pressure or disruption.
What people are saying:
- Facebook User: Thank you! I spoke up at Ohio County Schools against Lifewise. The majority of people who spoke were against. I fear the super majority will let them in. I hope that doesn’t happen.
- Secular Education Association: Facebook User THANK YOU for speaking up!
- Facebook User: Facebook User i fear you are right. It fits the control agenda. Talk about indoctrination
- Facebook User: Facebook User yes. What keeps
Me going is the hope that enough will wake up when their hospital closes, they lose insurance, etc and the backlash to vote them all out. K
- Facebook User: Take your kids to church, or send them to a religious school.
- Facebook User: We have Lifewise in Ohio and it is a disruption. It pits students against students. If it passes your state declare every subject instructional to avoid release time. Church belongs at home not during school day.
- Facebook User: Thank you! 🫡
- Facebook User: Thank you!
- Facebook User: Thank you!
- Facebook User: Facebook User
- Facebook User: Facebook User it’s so frustrating that we have to deal with this. 🙁
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