What people are saying:

• Secular Education Association: If your district is considering religious release time, save this list and bring these questions with you.
• Facebook User: They have these things called churches for this.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User we wholeheartedly agree.
• Facebook User: I went to Catholic Elementary school in the 50s. The neighborhood public school released Catholic kids on Wednesday around 2:00 to go to the nearest Catholic school for catechism. they’d ome to my school and have an hour and then get released with us. Had some friends going to public school but didn’t talk about it. I think parents who had kids in public school had to sign off on it.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User That sounds like it may have happened at the end of the school day, and that distinction matters. A big concern now is when these programs are worked into the regular school day in ways that disrupt learning time, separate students, and change the experience for kids who do not participate.
  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association Yeah plus it was Chicago, a majority Catholic City, with most families that sent their kids to public school living in the same parish as the Catholic school.
• Facebook User: The children are encouraged to bring other children and are rewarded for doing so. Children who don’t attend are singled out for teased and bullied. I know at least one family who happen to be Jewish. Their child was uninvited to a birthday party.
  • Secular Education Association: Thank you for sharing this. These are exactly the kinds of real-world impacts communities need to think about before approving religious release time programs.

    When schools create a system that separates children during the school day, it can affect friendships, belonging, and how students are treated. Especially for children who do not participate.

    No child should be singled out, excluded, or made to feel less welcome because of their family’s religion or because they do not attend a religious program.

    This is why districts must consider the impact on all students …not just the ones enrolled.

• Facebook User: Also, ask why it has to be done during school hours!
  • Facebook User: Facebook User Ask why release time is available for secular events as well. Far too many students need every minute of academic instruction time they can get given the absolutely atrocious reading and math scores at many schools.
• Facebook User: This is indoctrination. It is cult like behavior. There is a separation of church and state for a reason. Someone with a God complex is making a bunch of money off this. Keep your kids in school. If you want them to go to church, pick a church of your choice not this tripe.