What people are saying:

• Facebook User:
• Facebook User: They should be very glad this public school teacher is retired. 😡
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User Thank you for your years of service to our kids! We need your voice now, more than ever. ALL educators. Anyone who values public education really. Thank you for being here.
• Facebook User: I would have loved something like this in my public school. Freedom of choice. Freedom to learn all worldviews. Not be sheltered in one worldview for 18 years.

  Secular softies 🤭

  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User Freedom to learn all worldviews?

    Great. Then let’s make sure that includes LGBTQ families, gay parents, trans kids, Muslim students, Jewish students, atheist students, divorced families, single moms, and every other child conservatives suddenly call “inappropriate” the second inclusion applies to somebody besides them.

    Because what you are defending is not “all worldviews.” It is one religious worldview getting special access to public school kids during the school day and then pretending that is freedom.

    If you actually wanted students exposed to a broad range of ideas, you would be defending inclusive public education, honest history, diverse literature, and schools where every child belongs.

    But somehow the same crowd screaming “freedom” loses its mind over a Pride flag, an affirming teacher, a single parent, or the existence of two moms.

    So no, this is not about raising open-minded kids. It is about demanding special treatment for your worldview and calling everyone else soft when they refuse to hand over the school day.

  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association
    Muslims are very conservative, you speak out against them too?

    All that stuff you mentioned is already in public schools…there are records of it in fact.

    It is in fact not special treatment 😂 you wouldn’t recognize special treatment because it’s normal for you.

    Just as an anecdotal side note, seculars are some of the softest people I’ve met when it comes to disagreements in worldviews. It’s wild to me that you can’t see it.

  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User “Seculars” isn’t really a thing. Good try though.

    Secularism is not a competing religion or worldview trying to take over public schools. It is the principle that public schools stay neutral so everyone’s beliefs and rights are protected.

    And yes, turning people who value neutrality into some kind of caricature is a pretty familiar trope. It is a convenient way to dodge the real issue: one religious worldview getting special access to public school kids during the school day and pretending that is not special treatment.

    We push back on any effort to use public schools to privilege religion over other students’ rights and belonging.

    Acknowledging that LGBTQ students exist, that some kids have two moms or two dads, that some are Muslim, Jewish, Christian, or atheist is not special treatment. That is reality. That is what it looks like when public schools serve everybody.

    What is special treatment is carving out part of the public school day for religious programming and calling it neutral because there is a permission slip.

    Public schools do not belong to one worldview. That is the whole point.

• Facebook User: You should see the LifeWise headquarters building in Hilliard, OH. This is a well funded group that is pushing into our public schools to indoctrinate our children.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User YEP. We have seen it (SEA also originated in Ohio) and it is massive! VERY well funded.
• Facebook User: Lifewise is another symptom of what’s happening to our country.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User NAILED IT. It is absolutely another symptom. Just within our section of work (K-12 public schooling neutrality) we are seeing new violations and encroachments PLUS existing ones ramping up and/or stepping over the line and sweeping legislation to enforce these things across the country. Lifewise, FCA, Good News club, Prayer at the Pole, chaplain bills, Success sequence bills, Charlie Kirk act, Release time being mandated, Baby Olivia bills, Ten Commandments being posted, etc etc.
  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association I’m so thankful you’re doing something about it, even if you don’t always win. I know it’s got to feel like an uphill battle, but we appreciate you. We can’t just give up. ❤️
• Facebook User: Get Lifewise OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS!!!!!!!!!!
• Facebook User: 1. How does Lifewise get away with this clear violation of separation of church and state?
  2. I’m a Christian, and I would guarantee Lifewise doesn’t understand Jesus’s teachings the way I do.
  3. We are NOT a Christian nation! We have kids in public schools of many religious faiths or no organized religion. ALL students should be honored. If a family wants Christianity woven into their child’s education, they should go to a private parochial school and pay for it. I never agreed for my tax dollars to indoctrinate anyone to any religion, including my own.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User SAY IT LOUDER FOR THOSE IN THE BACK. 👏🏻
  • Facebook User: Facebook User also a Christian and I completely agree. When I was growing up there was a Bible study at our school but it was always outside of school hours and completely optional. Actual teachers who just happened to be christians as well led them and they were all from different denominations. No doctrine just simple Bible studies. However I will say that I always thought there should be the same opportunities for other religions or ideologies, the representation was really lacking. Something about rewarding kids with credits to participate in religious activities is really creepy too.
• Facebook User:
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User we’ve been at this since 2021, but it’s ALWAYS GIVEN THIS. 💯
  • Facebook User: I have been witness to the efforts of the evangelical movement for over 50 years. This actually began in the 70’s, and what we are experiencing are the fruits of a concerted effort to re-make society in the image of a world that actually never existed.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User YES. Agreed. This has been decades in the making. We have been extensively studying the “WHY” and the “HOW” of getting to this point. Seven mountain mandate and all.
  • Facebook User: Go Team!
• Facebook User: That’s funny. They sell it as “morality classes” in our schools.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User we typically see “character education” used.
  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association yes. That was it!
    I am working on my own character education classes with snacks and treats in every class. We are going to have a huge end of the year party with bouncy houses and dunking booths with teachers in them. I can out market Jesus.
  • Facebook User: That is crazy that they sell it that way. I’ll teach my children morals thank you.
• Facebook User: This shows how scared the religious right is that they are losing ground. We are becoming a more secular society, and they are panicking.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User we agree but in the mean time our kids are suffering. Our communities divided and money siphoned off them.
• Facebook User: When do the other world religions get to join and educate students?
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User here’s the issue- they will cry it’s open to all religions! But in theory doesn’t mean it is in practice. Tell us- do you think your local synagogue has the funding, infrastructure, political backing, legislative support and dark money ties to start their own Lifewise situation? They don’t. None of the minority religions do.
  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association It needs to be taken out of schools and leave religion to be a choice.
• Facebook User: Districts in Ohio have been fighting this for years. The founder of lifewise is sponsored with big dark money. Unfortunately, our likeminded state government signed RTRS into law last year, so even the districts who pushed lifewise out had to accept them back.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User districts in Ohio have been fighting this for years thanks to SEA. We began sounding the alarm in 2021. And we were sued for releasing their curriculum. But yes! Ohio had their hands tied as soon as we got districts and communities to start listening and pushing back.
• Facebook User: I’m giving 10-1 the author has no problem with the grooming lesson plans.
• Facebook User: Get out of public schools.
• Facebook User: This is my children’s school district. They’ve been targeting my oldest child, sending bible verses home in his backpack and lifewise homework. I am staunchly against it and have made this very well known and it’s still getting passed to my kid. I’m making noise.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User absolutely unacceptable. If he isn’t attending Lifewise why is he getting lifewise homework?
  • Facebook User: When I contacted the ACLU about LW being present during arena scheduling they said it was within the boundaries of the law.
  • Secular Education Association: Sent you a message
• Facebook User: I don’t understand how an off-campus religious program can award elective credits in a public school
• Facebook User: Lifewise is bad news. Thankfully my school system said nope, not here.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User GOOD! 👏🏻 Some states have mandated it so school districts must comply.
• Facebook User: So we’re just letting cults into schools now? Neat.
• Facebook User: I’m familiar with this program running in my own community, and spoke with them as part of my time writing for the local paper. I admittedly am just doom scrolling before bed and don’t feel like dredging up the article for the intricate answers to all these delicate questions, but, my personal experiences:

  I gave my child the option to attend it, to which they said yes, and even now that we are both out of that faith, for unrelated reasons, my child has since told me they valued their time there, that it did have theological conversation, but it wasn’t like going to church, or a bible study. It was almost like an activity class while learning about it – which I’m quite ok with. And I would absolutely love if they offered similar for other religions. I took World Religions in high school and I adored the class. It was mind opening, truly.

  I do remember from the launch of our community’s LifeWise, that they do not operate on school property/campus, nor do they utilize school resources outside of, maybe/yes, getting the kids together to line up for the program’s provided bus. Otherwise those involved are paid educators separate from the school or volunteers. The school day is perhaps somewhat disrupted just in lining them up, but the program, at least with my child, was during an extras class, not a STEM class. And they also attend an additional STEM class (and did as well while a part of that program) as many times a week as the LifeWise. It didn’t interrupt their education – Straight As since 1st grade.

  Instead of instilling hate about this program, why not reach out to your local school board and suggest/help organize a similar program that does present other theologies? Instead of jumping up with your pitchforks and torches, why not let it inspire you to do something good about it?

  Alas, I said I wasn’t gonna rant and I’m afraid that’s all I did. Enjoy the fire razing I guess.

  • Facebook User: Facebook User sorry, but religious education should not happen in public schools. Unless it is an actual world religions class.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User if you want your child to attend PSR. That is on you.
    Public schools should not be forced to accommodate a religious indoctrination group.
    Particularly because it only focuses on one religion only.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User With respect, this is the same defense we hear over and over: my child liked it, so what’s the problem?

    That is not the standard for what belongs in a public school system.

    The issue is not whether some kids had fun on the church bus. The issue is whether public schools should be expected to help facilitate private religious instruction during the school day in the first place.

    And ‘well, other religions should just make their own programs’ completely misses the point. Public schools are not supposed to become a religious marketplace where whichever group has the most money, volunteers, buses, and political backing gets the most access to children.

    Even off campus, these programs still rely on the school day, school scheduling, school compliance, school staff time, and school-created separation between the kids who go and the kids who don’t.

    That is not neutrality. That is institutional accommodation of religion.

    Nobody is ‘instilling hate’ by pointing that out. Parents are drawing a line and saying public schools should stop being used as a delivery system for religious programming.

    That is not a pitchfork. That is common sense.

  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association I never suggested the other religions – or any – ought to be preached, but taught about, sure, why not? It encourages open mindedness, sheds light on ignorant thoughts of the topic, etc..

    Additionally I never used my kid enjoying it as a defense so much as simply saying, they enjoyed it and didnt feel like religion was being preached so much as the theology being taught.

    I’m not sure why this page showed up on my news feed. The ignorant angry jump to dismissing a path of teaching isn’t in line with anything I believe, even as a big proponent against hypocritical Christians and similar ilk. Good luck, may whatever purpose you think this serves be one of goodness for those to follow.

  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User you are defending a privately run religious program by comparing it to neutral academic teaching about religion. Those are not the same thing.

    A public school world religions class is education.
    A privately run faith program operating through the school day is religious accommodation.

    That is the issue.

    Your child enjoying it does not answer the actual concern, and “other groups should just build their own” is still not neutrality. Public schools are not supposed to function as a religious access point for whichever group has the funding, volunteers, buses, and backing to pull it off.

    Calling that out is not “angry” or “ignorant.”
    It is common sense.

  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association i would highly encourage you to speak to some school systems that are affiliated with this program. I knew from reading the OG post that some of the questions posed were answered very matter of factly, and within the confines of the law. Meaning the opportunity is available to others. It’s an education, not necessarily a faith program. The issues you are poking at are not as grossly overstepping as you think. Do your research. THAT’S the issue.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User it is grossly overstepping.
    Hosting a religious enterprise on school grounds to proselytize is absolutely in violation of the 1st amendment.
    That’s what that picture shows.
    They also send the children back to school with all sorts of merch and shit to further proselytize for them.
    They are using children to spread this. In our public schools.
    That we pay for.
    No!
    If it’s an education program than they should be held to the same educational standards as all public schools as approved by the Ohio State BOE.
    Otherwise it’s just sparkling indoctrination.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User No, this isn’t a research issue- it’s a reality issue.

    We work directly with school systems, including ones that do not want to facilitate this but are being forced to. That alone should tell you something is off.

    Public schools should not be affiliated with private religious instruction during the school day. Period. THAT’S THE ISSUE.

    “Others can do it too” is not neutrality. It’s whoever has the most money and infrastructure wins.

  • Facebook User: Facebook User they aren’t forced… and agreed.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User its not happening in public schools. Its a program that families can opt into, and out of, freely. The only overlap it has is that it is during school hours – as far as i know, during elective classes. Like study hall.
  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association it was voted on in our school district, so I’m not sure how its being forced.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User in Ohio it was mandated. By law. And not all districts have the children’s best interest in mind, unfortunately.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User they are being forced to accommodate.
    Ohio law mandates that this private religious organization by accommodated.
    Using my tax dollars to do so.
    And sending children back to school to indoctrinate other children.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User the laws existed beforehand, which allowed this sort of program to exist.

    And maybe therein comes a point that the parents should talk with the kids if they’re being indoctrinated, or discuss with them the importance of critical thinking.

    I’m no longer Christian, I walked away from that life for a litany of reasons, but I remember being a kid and being curious and wanting to learn, so I brought a Bible to school to read at recess and was told not to do it again. How does this encourage learning? How does this encourage inclusiveness? Why shut down the program instead of engaging in meaningful conversation about the program?

    It’s obvious we won’t be changing each other’s minds, and I feel like I’m just reiterating myself again & again. So, I’m respectfully bowing out of this conversation, disappointed that secularism is equating more and more to ignorance.

  • Facebook User: Facebook User the law in 1953 was originally if a school wanted to do this.
    It has since been changed to mandate it in 2024 in Ohio.
    There are already religious schools and churches and all sorts of places for worship. Tax free I might add.
    They don’t need to be inserting themselves into the public schools we pay for. Period.
    If a child has a question about religion they can ask their parents, pastor or other religious person they know.
    Not like religions don’t have a whole tax free apparatus to proselytize.
    Religion needs to stay in its lane and out of the public sphere.
    And of course the biggest issue which you will not address.
    Lifewise is sending children back to school to proselytize to other children. On purpose in cursive.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User you just don’t get it, do you? No other religion is allowed the same opportunity. Do you not understand that? The schools are responsible for those students from the beginning of the school day to the end of the school day. If something happens while those students are off-campus with these programs, it is the school’s responsibility. These programs should be outside of school hours and independent of the school system. I am tired of my tax dollars subsidizing a religious extremist viewpoint. I would rather subsidize someone who is trying to feed their children or care for a disabled person. Not a company that pays it’s executives three figure salaries.
• Facebook User: Over my dead body my kid registers for anything LifeWise teaches.
• Facebook User: Well considering the state of education. It’s fine, maybe it will help. Remember when people used to say “everyone isn’t the same, they all learn differently” … maybe this is some of the differently that is needed.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User The state of education would be a hell of a lot better if public schools weren’t constantly defunded, gutted by vouchers, demonized for political gain, and attacked for trying to be inclusive and care for all kids.

    So no, this isn’t some brilliant new “different” that’s needed. It’s the same old bullshit dressed up as help.

    We’re not tolerating that here. Take it somewhere else.

  • Facebook User: Facebook User what is the state of education in your mind?
• Facebook User: Indoctrination 101
• Facebook User: Do they teach about the tooth fairy and Santa Claus?
• Facebook User: STOP THE INDOCTRINATION of our youth! This does not belong in the schools. STOP with the 10 Commandments from only one religion when our schools consist of students from a plethora of religious and non religious backgrounds. How about just posting & teaching the “Golden Rule” or the 10 Comittments. There is ample opportunity for religious studies outside of the academic setting if you so choose. Most churches, I am familiar with offer after school programs, bible studies, classes, & services at least 3 or 4 times a week if not more.
• Facebook User: Wait, you get actual credits for this now? What happened to it being completely separate from school?