HEATHER SMITH: Let’s not allow groups with a hidden agenda to infiltrate our schools
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Public education is under assault by policymakers and Christian nationalists. Across the nation, we’re witnessing a push to bring religious instruction into our public schools under the guise of character education. One such program, Lifewise Academy, is using a loophole in the law called religious release time, which allows students to leave school grounds for religious purposes. What seems like a harmless initiative is actually a calculated move to erode the separation of church and state, a cornerstone of our democratic society.
Lifewise Academy’s Bible classes are cleverly scheduled during times that are considered less academically rigorous—lunch, recess, art, gym, music, technology, and other electives. When questioned about why these classes couldn’t be held after school, Lifewise Support gave a telling answer: after-school programs would conflict with transportation and extracurricular activities. In other words, they’re careful not to interfere with sports—a sacred cow in American culture. The irony here is palpable. In a society that reveres athletes as role models, we harshly condemn them when they use their platform to speak out, as we saw with Colin Kaepernick’s protest during the National Anthem.
On the surface, Lifewise might appear benign, even beneficial. They cooperate with schools, offering to build character education that purportedly improves student behavior. They emphasize parent choice and highlight the legality of their program under the law. The classes are held off-campus, and the school does not directly fund the program, though it does require administrative time to implement. This arrangement may sound harmless, but the implications are far more sinister.
Lifewise employs subtle tactics to garner interest and acceptance in schools. They might host a school-wide program under a different name and invite students to an after-school “fun” activity, a strategic move to attract students without the school directly promoting the program. This kind of backdoor evangelism is precisely what the First Amendment seeks to prevent.
In my hometown of Salem, Ohio, Lifewise is currently on step to seeking school board approval, a crucial step that could pave the way for their entry into our local schools. South Range and Alliance are also at this critical juncture. It’s troubling to learn that Lifewise approached the Salem Superintendent over a year and a half ago but was rejected. However, they’ve since regrouped, focusing on building trust within the community—a tactic that might seem innocuous but is part of a broader strategy to reintroduce the program under more favorable conditions.
This renewed effort coincides with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s recent signing of the Released Time Religious Instruction (RTRI) bill into law. While this law may permit programs like Lifewise, we must question the broader implications for our community and our public schools. The primary mission of public education is to provide a comprehensive and equitable education for all students, free from religious instruction during the school day.
Our history should serve as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what’s right, even in the face of laws that are unjust or misused. Salem, once a beacon of the Underground Railroad, was a place where brave individuals defied the Fugitive Slave Laws to protect freedom and equality. We must channel that same spirit today. As Salem Quakers, we believe in the Inner Light within each of us—a belief that transcends any single religious doctrine.
Let’s not allow groups with a hidden agenda to infiltrate our schools and undermine the secular education that is the right of every child. We must stand firm in our commitment to keeping public education free from religious influence and ensure that all students receive a fair and unbiased education.
The stakes are high, and the consequences of inaction are too great to ignore. Keep this dangerous group out of our schools!
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Heather Smith is a teacher in the Youngstown City School District.
This story was originally published August 15, 2024 at 12:33 PM