Remember that feeling of dread when your parents dragged you to church? Now imagine that feeling, but trapped in a public school with a side of peer pressure and questionable theology. Welcome to the wonderful world of LifeWise Academy, the latest scheme to turn your tax-funded education into a recruitment drive for a specific brand of Christianity.
LifeWise is exploiting a loophole in a dusty Ohio law (See: Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.6022 "Released time courses in religious instruction") to yank kids out of class for Bible study. Except it's not just any Bible study – it's their brand, a narrow interpretation that excludes Catholics, Jews, Mormons, and basically anyone who doesn't subscribe to their specific flavor of "Jesus Died for Your Sins." Think "fire and brimstone" with a side of "don't ask, don't tell" about same-sex marriage.
Here's the real kicker: while LifeWise claims they're not proselytizing in schools, they're showering enrolled students with candy and prizes to brag to their classmates. Picture the schoolyard equivalent of a pyramid scheme, but with salvation instead of leggings.
But wait, there's more! This whole operation hinges on a law from the 50s, a time when Brylcreem was high fashion and "released time" meant leaving school for religious activities (think Ash Wednesday services, not full-blown Bible boot camp). Now, thanks to LifeWise's aggressive marketing, this outdated policy could become the norm, opening the door for any random group with a prayer and a pamphlet to whisk your kid away during lunch break.
Sound like a recipe for religious roulette with a side of potential child safety issues? You're not wrong. Schools already have their hands full without becoming babysitters for third-party religious indoctrination. Plus, who gets to decide which groups get access to your kid? Scientology? Pastafarians? The Satanic Temple (I know personally, I'd feel better about the last two than LifeWise)?
The bottom line: religious freedom is great, but it shouldn't come at the expense of a secular education or your kid's critical thinking skills. If LifeWise slithers into your school district, fight back. Public schools are for, well, the public – not a backdoor mission field for a narrow religious agenda. Don't let your child's lunch break become a battleground for religious beliefs they might not even understand. If you live in Ohio, you can find information on how to contact your state representative here: Contact your Ohio Statehouse representative
