An Ohio-based nonprofit organization, which offers Bible lessons to public school students during regular classroom hours, has announced plans to expand its services in Indiana threefold this fall. The move comes after new legislation made it mandatory for school districts to allow such programs.
LifeWise Academy programs are viewed as an additional source of education for families who do not follow a specific religious denomination. However, some individuals in Indiana have expressed concerns over the use of public school resources on religious activities, as well as the potential for proselytizing to students who adhere to different faiths. There are also worries that the programs may negatively impact literacy rates in a state that is already facing challenges in this area.
Penton emphasized that for many families, faith and the teachings of the Bible hold immense significance. They strive to instill these values in their children and make it a fundamental aspect of their daily lives.
According to the First Amendment, public schools are prohibited from endorsing any particular religion. However, a landmark Supreme Court decision in 1952 focused on New York schools paved the way for initiatives like LifeWise. In some states, religious institutions collaborate with schools to offer programs outside of school premises, which remain unregulated.
According to Penton, LifeWise representatives spoke before the legislative bodies of Oklahoma and Ohio to advocate for legislation that would mandate school collaboration with off-site religious programs. As a result of their efforts, Oklahoma’s Republican governor recently signed a bill into law that aligns with this objective.
According to Penton, LifeWise programs are set to expand significantly in the coming school year, with over 520 locations in 23 states offering the program, compared to 331 in 13 states this year. Currently, approximately 31,000 students across the United States are attending LifeWise programs.
According to him, LifeWise should be accessible to a whopping 50 million public school students all across the United States.
Indiana State Representative Kendell Culp, a Republican, introduced a bill that mandates principals to permit students to attend release-time religious education after a rural school ceased its cooperation with LifeWise. The bill was signed into law in March, and as a result, 45 Indiana schools will be collaborating with the company this fall, which is three times more than the previous year.
According to Penton, LifeWise collaborated with the Gospel Project, a Bible study program created by a Southern Baptist Convention entity, to develop its curriculum. The instructors are equipped with helpful tips on how to handle challenging inquiries, such as those related to sex and the afterlife. LifeWise maintains a stance against same-sex marriage, transgender identities, and gender fluidity.
Indiana Youth Group CEO, Chris Paulsen, has raised concerns about the lack of discussion around queer families in schools, given that children are able to receive Christian religious instruction during the school day. It should be noted that Indiana prohibits “human sexuality” education in schools for students up to third grade.
LifeWise transports students from their schools to the program locations via bus or car, while also providing supervision for those who choose to walk from nearby schools. The staff and volunteers take great care to ensure the safety of the children during their commute to the program.
According to Indiana law and a 1952 Supreme Court ruling, any form of public funding cannot be used for supplementary religious education. However, some critics are concerned that schools may still use public resources for coordinating and transporting students to such programs.
Michelle Carrera, an English teacher in Culp’s district, expressed her concern that this would add more responsibility to the teachers.
Critics among Democratic lawmakers have expressed disapproval of the newly enacted law, citing the decline in literacy scores and attendance. Additionally, they argue that the law infringes upon the First Amendment’s guarantee of the separation of church and state.
According to Ed DeLaney, a Democrat and member of the Indiana House Education Committee, allowing a religious organization to dictate scheduling in a school goes against a key American principle and is a serious violation.
She questioned, “In what ways can students benefit from being removed from the academic day?”
Advocates assert that the LifeWise approach provides an opportunity for low-income students who are unable to afford after-school programs to receive additional religious teachings. According to Culp, the Indiana legislation empowers parents to have more control over their children’s education.
He expressed that it is primarily about the rights of parents.
Sullinger expressed his enthusiasm by saying, “This is an excellent way to strengthen our faith.”
According to LifeWise, their programs are not integrated into academic classes, such as math or reading, but instead take place during lunch, recess, or electives like library, art, or gym. Indiana law permits children to participate in these programs for a maximum of two hours per week.
She remarked, “Our community has given it a lot of support.”
During the passage of Indiana’s bill, the district frequently became the topic of discussion. Those against the bill argued that if only a few children remained at school, they might feel compelled to join in or left out if they do not practice the same religion or belong to a different faith.
According to Penton, there are instances where children themselves voluntarily promote the program to their peers.
He expressed his gratitude for the students who find joy in their program and share their positive experience with others.
According to Demrie Alonzo, an English as a second language tutor in Fredericktown, Ohio, she witnessed a LifeWise representative telling one of her third-grade students, who happened to be Hindu, that they could educate her about Jesus. This incident prompted an investigation, which ultimately led to the school superintendent, Gary Chapman, reminding both the Fredericktown Local School District and LifeWise representatives to avoid soliciting student participation during school hours.
Penton mentioned that kids hailing from various backgrounds take part in the program.
Alonzo expressed that he found it highly inappropriate.
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