What people are saying:

• Secular Education Association: Two things:

  First, every reaction and comment increases this post’s reach, so thank you for helping spread the message.

  Second, transphobic, homophobic, hateful, or otherwise abusive comments will be removed. They may give the post a little extra reach first, but they will still be deleted. Save yourself the effort.

• Secular Education Association: Tagging organizations that care about what happens to LGBTQ+ students and families in public schools:

  Facebook User
  Facebook User
  Facebook User
  Facebook User
  Facebook User

  This is happening during the school day. It matters.

  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association Facebook User Facebook User Facebook User I would love Facebook User or the Tim and April show to do a deep dive into Lifewise Academy and the harm it’s causing.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User Also Facebook User branches in some states are working against Released Time generally and Lifewise specifically
• Facebook User: Obviously this is nothing compared to these screenshots but the lifewise in our community tells their kids that when talking to their friends to tell them “lifewise has fun games, free candy and gets you out of class” to try and recruit kids. Nothing about god or whatever other “Christian values” they want to spew. The bribery goes all the way to our school aged kids.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User we know this to be absolutely true! And it is also unacceptable. Would you be willing to allow us to publish your quote here without your identifying information ?? We believe people need to know what is actually happening.
• Facebook User: Don’t you have to willingly enroll your kid in this? I don’t see the issue
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User parent permission does not magically erase the public school problem.

    How would you feel if a pro-LGBTQIA organization came during the school day, pulled kids out with parent permission, and then those kids came back telling your children that straight people go to hell, that their families are wrong, or that they are less than?

    Would you still say, “Well, their parents signed them up”?

    Probably not.

    That is the point.

    The issue is not whether parents can teach religion to their own children. They can.

    The issue is using the public school day, public school systems, attendance structures, schedules, staff time, and peer pressure of the school environment to funnel children into sectarian instruction that can directly affect the kids who do not attend.

    Public schools should not be pipelines for any religious or ideological program.

  • Facebook User: Facebook User If you have kids in school, then you know how large a pile of papers/forms are sent home the first day of school, needing a parent signature. It’s very easy to wonder how much attention is given to a permission slip for Lifewise, “Bible based moral instruction”. It sounds pretty innocuous, no? Only later do the kids return to school telling those who don’t go that “they’re going to burn in hell!” And what about teaching kids that in the event of a difference between what their parents say and “what God says”, God must always come first. And then they are taken on a field trip to the Ark in Kentucky, where they’ll be taughtthat the Earth is 6,000 years old, and dinosaurs roamed alongside humans. How many parents envisioned those things when asked to sign permission for Bible based lessons once a week? These are but some of the issues that have come up since Lifewise began their recruiting push in the public schools. And they have yet to explain why it MUST be during the school day, instead of after school, as all other programs are held.,.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User I know at my sons school it’s an a different location which needs bussed to and from so I’m sure no one could overlook that knowing there kid is leaving schools property every day but I agree it should just be an after school curricular activity not in school hours
  • Facebook User: Facebook User actually there have been accounts where non guardians have enrolled a child without the guardians knowing. So yes there is absolutely an issue.
• Facebook User: My youngest is graduating this year, so I don’t have small kids in our school district anymore, but when I saw a teacher post information about Lifewise being in the school I was pissed. There is also a flyer hanging at our local pizza place. Indoctrinate your kids on your own time. It’s bribery. What kid wouldn’t want to get out of class for a bit and do something that sounds fun? And what about the kids left behind? Are the teachers still teaching lessons? I am very glad my kids are on the way out, but worry for those just starting.
• Facebook User: Don’t they have churches to teach this nonsense? I’m definitely going to be having a conversation with my son about any kids that go to this. They’re not about to indoctrinate my child.
• Facebook User: They’re in Monroe, Ohio! They had a banner for their marathon posted on the property that rents out the offices of The Ohio Education Association.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User why would OEA rent to them? This is very disturbing!!
  • Facebook User: Facebook User they’ll probably just claim their landlords allowed the banner but we know that’s probably bs.
• Facebook User: You should see what the pregnancy clinics think of their clients. I trained at one. I didn’t take the position. It was too weird.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User ah yes, the pregnancy clinics are also a problem. We agree!
  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association I didn’t know this about life wise. I have a kid that goes cause his friends go. My other kid asked me to take him out… said he would rather do gym class 😅
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User we aren’t here to shame anyone for being misled or for their kids being enticed. It’s an integral part of their plan. But we are here to provide accurate information and accounts. 💜
  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association thank you.
• Facebook User: These ideas aren’t even universally shared among all Christian sects let alone all religions. It is a clear first amendment violation as the courts have upheld over and over and over. I recognize the stumbledicks that sit on the current court wouldn’t know the Constitution if it blew up their hot air holes but previous courts actually supported the rule of law.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User actually the courts have upheld this first amendment right in both free speech and freedom of religion. This is why they can exist.
• Facebook User: I am a Believer. That means that I have accepted Jesus as MY Savior. I also know that this is a BLATANT violation of the US Constitution. Separation of Church and State means ZERO to Republicans because America means ZERO to them also. Vote Blue Always and Everywhere.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User please QUOTE the Constitutional amendment OR article where this is forbidden.
    Ill wait.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User , please understand what this country is built upon. If you want a THEOCRACY, join ISIS
  • Facebook User: Facebook User, so, you believe Black folks are 3/5 humans?
• Facebook User: In the dictionary, under “indoctrination” there’s not a book about 2 penguins, or a class where a kid is allowed to say that she has 2 dads.
  THERE’S THIS.

  Our schools are NOT your church (and my church doesn’t support any of that stuff either).

  • Facebook User: Facebook User welcome to the first amendment
• Facebook User: Omg this is so creepy. I grew up with something like this and it leaves a mark.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User were so sorry you experienced this sort of thing as a child. You’re right. It’s bad enough when it happens within a family, but then having it brought directly back to school to the kids who aren’t attending too? Unacceptable.
• Facebook User: They’re making millions of dollars on this. Why are they allowed to disrupt the school day to do this? It infringes on the rights of all students and educators.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User trust me they arent making millions.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User oh yeah? Go look up their 990s. Again. Thank you for driving traffic here!
  • Facebook User: Facebook User I think you’re wrong. Have you seen their new headquarters? In fact, I did read they made millions.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User s of early 2026, LifeWise Academy reported a total revenue of over $39 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with a net profit of $11.1 million. The Ohio-based nonprofit, which provides religious instruction to public school students, held roughly $34.9 million in total assets in 2025, according to ProThe Publica’s Nonprofit Explorer.
• Facebook User: The school district we live in has this program come in and I’m very uncomfy with the indoctrination so I started asking questions about how the option to go is talked about to students. I was basically told that it’s a fun time and students who don’t go, stay back in class and do random crafts or catch up on homework. So kids are being made to feel they are “missing out” if they’re not allowed to go. They told me 75% of students go! And when I asked how am I supposed to explain that to my small child (whom I am not allowing to go), the person I was speaking to (from the school) sort of copped an attitude and said something along the lines of “well that will be for you to explain to her then” yes I get that but maybe don’t go out of your way to make it out to be this super fun thing and that the kids staying behind are missing out 🙄.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User Secular Education Association for visibility to this school violation
  • Facebook User: They also bribe them with candy and other treats. The kids who go bring the candy back and tell all of their sinful friends how awesome it is to leave school and get candy.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User there have even been instances where kids of other religions…a Muslim girl is the one I remember distinctly…that have been made to feel so left out of the “fun” that they asked their parents to sign permission slips. That smacks of the crusades to me, and it’s gross.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User wtf! My kid isn’t in school yet (this whole convo took place at screening) but if I find out that the other kids are coming back with candy and shoving it in my kids face I WILL be the angry mom at the school board meeting. I already think this is gross, but to make the kids who aren’t going feel bad will infuriate me. Perhaps I’ll send in Halloween bags worth of candy for my kid to share with the other “left behind” kids 😆
  • Facebook User: Facebook User here is the stone hard truth about indoctrination which is literally is to instruct on the fundamentals or rudiments.

    Public schools indictrinate.
    Parents indoctrinate
    Governments indoctrinate.
    Churches indoctrinate
    Mosques indoctrinate.

    Such is the first amendment right to indoctrinate…. Instruct….teach…. the rudimentary basics of anything.

    The first amendment literally allows for instruction based on values.

    Parents have that right to indoctrinate…again INSTRUCT….. TEACH….However they deem fit.

  • Facebook User: Facebook User I’m 79 yrs old. When I was in elementary school local religious teachers came in on Friday afternoons to teach class. My family was Catholic and so I had to sit at a desk in the hall and felt very left out. Did not leave a favorable view of Protestants.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User first we want to say that we are so sorry you had this experience and you aren’t alone. If you’re comfortable-would you give us permission to publish your comment without any of your identifying information? It’s so important for us to illustrate that this has ALWAYS been a problem. A very hurtful and divisive one.
  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association you have my permission.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User They are screaming that public schools are failing and then shortening the hours of instructions, not just for the children going to this nonsense, but every child at the school. How are school districts, legislatures, and parents going along with this!?!
• Facebook User: We seem to have forgotten the basic premise, embodied in our Constitution, of Separation of church & state.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User technically this is still separation because it’s off school grounds and not using public funds
  • Facebook User: Facebook User but the 4th part of Zorach that LifeWise never tells the schools- no supoort and no coercion
  • Facebook User: Facebook User this right here 👏
  • Facebook User: Facebook User Im sorry…PLEASE quote where the constitution says “separation of church and state”. I cant find that one anywhere…
    I’ll wait.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User
  • Facebook User: Facebook User that means congress cannot establish a state sanctioned religion RESTRICTION… not operating Religion out of government.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User So, government officials going into a school & espousing religious doctrine is out of line & should not be allowed.
• Facebook User: 🤢🤮 This has to be illegal in the context of public school
  • Facebook User: It’s not technically a public school
  • Facebook User: Not in Ohio.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User not in ohio
  • Facebook User: Facebook User the first amendment is federal. It doesn’t vary from state to state.
  • Secular Education Association: Unfortunately, it isn’t. But it has been bad law since around 1952. That’s our opinion anyway. Currently, we are seeing this standing loophole be bastardized and used en masse for the religious rights purposes.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User, as a teacher, i know first hand the limitations of free speech in public education.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User nope… first amendment applies.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User That’s because they elected Christian Nationalist into Government, then into the School Board. They have sued their way in through support from the Christian Nationalist government they put in place.
• Facebook User: Grooming them early.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User here is the stone hard truth about indoctrination (aka grooming) which literally is to instruct on the fundamentals or rudiments.

    Public schools indictrinate.
    Parents indoctrinate
    Governments indoctrinate.
    Churches indoctrinate
    Mosques indoctrinate.

    Such is the first amendment right to indoctrinate…. Instruct….teach…. the rudimentary basics of anything.

    The first amendment literally allows for instruction based on values.

    Parents have that right to indoctrinate…again INSTRUCT….. TEACH….However they deem fit.

  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User NOT IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AGAINST THE WISHES OF OTHER PARENTS.
  • Facebook User: Secular Education Association other parents do not have to participate… CALM DOWN. This is a VOLUNTARY OPTION FOR PARTICIPATION
• Facebook User: Follow the money.
  This organization is a “non profit” that in 3 years was bringing in 37 million dollars.
  They have direct access to Jim Tressel.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User and Jon Husted
• Facebook User: In error, someone from Lifewise sent me a message with a picture of someone’s child. What if that had been sent to someone who preys on children? What does this say about the people they hire?
  Are you sure your kids are safe?
• Facebook User: Keep this out of public schools!
  • Facebook User: Facebook User lol welcome to the first amendment!
  • Facebook User: Facebook User yes I’m expressing my opinion as an educator of 30 years.
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User every time you comment or react you drive the views and shares on this. 😆 Never mind that this is violating OTHERS first amendment rights huh?
• Facebook User: Not appropriate for public school
  • Facebook User: Facebook User that’s why it’s taking place outside of school.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User During school hours… 🤦🏻‍♂️🙄
  • Facebook User: Facebook User and? It’s not on school grounds and it’s not done by school staff or with public funds. Are you saying “school hours” belong to the school and not the student? Because it’s literally one period a week. Schools don’t do anything to recoup instructional time lost for other reasons.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User It’s clearly a workaround the Constitution. Stop trying to act like like it’s anything else. Good grief. If you want to preach religion, send your kids to private school or homeschool them. It’s clear indoctrination.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User Ummmm of course school hours belong to the school as they are providing a service 🙄 and hours are accounted for by the state & have to be made up after a certain number of missed hours.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User send your kid to an after school program. That’s what they did when I was in school after they did away with religious ed programs, and everyone survived.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User it’s a violation of church and state. Nothing more disgusting than white , so called Christians spewing hate and teaching from a book that was written by a bunch of white men the way THEY wanted it to be.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User welcome to the first amendment
  • Facebook User: Facebook User When will all religions get access to our public school children? Where is the Jewish Lifewise? Where is the Hindu Lifewise? Where is the Muslim Lifewise? I can’t even imagine your outrage if non-Christian religions were getting away with what you all were doing.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User theu already do.
    Anyone can do this.
    Likewise is a Christian organization

    Feel free to start a Jewish or Muslim or Hindu organization and do the same.
    Caveat…. parents MUST consent.

• Facebook User: No to indoctrination on school time. Parents job, no business in schools
  • Facebook User: Facebook User Life wise is indoctrination
  • Facebook User: Facebook User I abhor LW and all it brings with it (and I’m a Christian!) but to be clear, it is not IN schools. Kids are r released from school to go to an offsite location then brought back to school.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User as a former school employee, very disruptive just moving them in and out of the building.
• Facebook User: Gross.
• Facebook User: This is wrong—-discriminatory and a waste of time when kids should be learning in the school setting!
  • Facebook User: Becky Moyseenko yes especially things like a bazillion gender ideology indoctrination and sex for children lessons… 🙄
• Facebook User: Stop brainwashing kids. Let them make their own decisions.