
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.
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.

Join us on June 27 at noon as we welcome author Chrissy Stroop, PhD, for a frank discussion of challenges faced by the American secular movement.
The effectiveness of secular organizing is more important than ever, since the US is devolving into fascist regime orchestrated by white Christian nationalists, bigotry, racism, misogyny and hatred. Join us for a discussion between author, researcher and activist Chrissy Stroop and Secular AZ’s Jeanne Casteen of the state of the secular movement, including its challenges and future.
The coeditor of Empty the Pews: Stories of Leaving the Church, Chrissy Stroop is an exvangelical writer and speaker. Stroop’s work has appeared in Foreign Policy, The Boston Globe, Playboy, and other outlets. Previously a columnist for openDemocracy, Stroop is a regular contributor to Religion Dispatches and publishes a weekly news letter at www.bugbeardispatch.com.
Stroop grew up in Indiana and Colorado Springs, spent a lot of time in a lot of different places in her 20s and 30s, and now happily resides in the Pacific Northwest with chosen family and a mischievous Pomeranian.
Visit Chrissy’s website, subscribe to her Substack “The Bugbear Dispatch“, read her work at The FlyTrap.