As a parent with children attending Cedar Falls schools, I am deeply concerned about the proposed integration of religious education during school hours. On December 11, 2023, a social media post invited parents and the public to attend a meeting regarding Lifewise Academy's plan to work within our public schools. This fundamentalist Christian Nationalist organization aims to have public school students receive release time for religious education during the day.

The plan targets three school districts: Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Hudson schools. While freedom of religion is an essential right in our country, it is crucial that we maintain the separation between church and state as outlined by our Constitution. The introduction of specific religious teachings into public schools can lead to exclusionary practices and potential conflicts among students with diverse beliefs.

According to data from Pew Research Center (2019), America's religious landscape is changing rapidly with increasing diversity in faiths. Therefore, it is more important than ever that we ensure our educational institutions remain neutral spaces where all students feel welcome regardless of their personal beliefs.

I firmly believe that religion should stay in church or within private settings where individuals choose to practice their faith. Our children deserve an unbiased education free from any form of indoctrination.

We must stand up for this principle now before it impacts not only Cedar Valley but potentially other regions across the country as well. Please sign this petition if you agree that Lifewise Academy should not be allowed to integrate its program into our public schools' curriculum during regular school hours.

Their plan is to do this by enlisting fundamentalist Christian Nationalist organization LifeWise Academy to work in public schools. They want public school students to receive release time to attend religious education during the day.

Proponents of this plan are gathering signatures to bring to the Board of Education as a sign of public support for the LifeWise program, and pressure them to approve the program.

We oppose this plan for the following reasons:

It violates the First Amendment of the Constitution by using public schools as a promotional tool for a specific religion
It proposes to use time during which the teaching of children is funded by tax dollars, which are not to be used for religious education
The plan creates educational inequalities since the children are pulled away from instructional time
Please sign this petition to voice your opposition to the plan and invite others to do so as well! Please include your city and zip code with your signature to show that you are a resident of the area impacted by the proposed plan.

Please share this petition!