Hey there, Secular FAM. A few months ago, we discussed the push to evangelize our public schools with the founders of the Secular Education Association. They discussed the “Christian” organization, Lifewise, and how they’re attempting to bring evangelical cultist indoctrination to minors across the country.
Now, this organization is bringing its hate-fueled curriculum to the Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD), and we need you to share with the district why secular public schools are vital to our democracy.
Hey there, Secular FAM. A few months ago, we discussed the push to evangelize our public schools with the founders of the The administrators of the DVUSD Lifewise Facebook page are promising that any rando can “sponsor” a student (at $30 a pop) and they will receive religious indoctrinationinstruction during school hours.
Arizona already allows for Release Time for Religious Instruction (RTRI), and the LDS Church has made it clear that they’re very supportive of this statute – and in some cases – overstepping their bounds. The next time you drive around the state, especially in rural and suburban areas, take a look at how many LDS temples are next door or across the street from high school campuses.
Click here to read this post on Secular AZ’s Substack.
Jeanne Casteen, Secular AZ Executive Director
JEANNE CASTEEN has a bachelor’s degree in human communication and history from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at ASU and a master’s in education, also from ASU. Jeanne has over 11 years of experience teaching in Maricopa County’s public schools. In 2011, Jeanne completed the Emerge Arizona program and in 2012 became a school board member of the Creighton School District. She served as Board President from 2016 through 2020. In 2020, Ms. Casteen ran for Maricopa County School Superintendent, and came within 12,000 votes of winning. She has been awarded the Arizona School Public Relations Association Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Political Contributions to Education as well as the Arizona School Board Association’s All-Arizona School Board Member Award.
