Secular Education Association

In addition to local efforts, Lifewise is actively changing state laws all across the country by lobbying to pass legislation that forces schools to adopt RTRI policies that accommodate them. Since our inception we have discovered several different encroachments on the secularism of our public schools, driven by the Christian Nationalist agenda. In 2025 we expanded our organization’s focus beyond RTRI in order to address these many threats facing public education.

SEA consists of concerned parents, families, community members, teachers, school administrators, religious leaders and taxpayers; with a diversity of religious beliefs and backgrounds, who respect the separation of church and state. Our mission is to protect our children and preserve the sanctity of public education by connecting parents and communities across the nation.

We are committed to uphold the separation of church and state in our public schools by providing oversight, information and advocacy to engage our communities. Our goal is to ensure that all children have access to an equitable education,  grounded in evidence-based principles, academic integrity and respect for diversity in a secular learning environment.

Co-Founder Molly Gaines hails from West Chester, Ohio and has a 6 year old daughter that attends public school. She considers herself “fiercely agnostic” and is wholly dedicated to the separation of church and state. She began researching Lifewise Academy in 2022 and recognized the grave importance of Zach and his daughter’s experience. She reached out to Zach, creating the catalyst that formed the Secular Education Association. Molly has been a driving force in our organization from the beginning; growing our online presence, spreading awareness, engaging everyone from teachers to activists, and cultivating a network of parents and community members who provide support to others with similar experiences. She has dedicated herself to fighting for religious neutrality in our public schools, which she believes to be a cornerstone of our democracy.
Co-Founder Zachary Parrish is originally from Defiance, Ohio; where he and his 12 year old daughter first experienced Lifewise Academy in 2021. After exhausting all the “official” avenues he could think of to defend his daughter’s Church-State Separation rights-  he decided to make a public plea. He has been integral in the formation of our organization; from bravely fighting a frivolous lawsuit that brought us national attention, to maintaining our massive internal information databases, to creating our website. Zach excels at conducting both legal and policy research; making it more accessible and easier to digest for parents and community members. For the last several years Zach has dedicated his life to researching and raising awareness about the encroachment of religion in our public schools. 

www.seculareducationassociation.org

contact@seculareducationassociation.org

www.facebook.com/seculareducationassociation

www.facebook.com/groups/1522693745167717

www.youtube.com/@SecularEducationAssociationOrg