More than 150 people submitted opponent testimony against a bill that would require school districts to create a policy to allow students to be excused from school to go to release for time religious instruction.
Opponents argued religious release time programs disrupt the school day, create a divide between students who participate and those that don’t, and interfere with religious freedom.
“My concern with religious release time programs during the school day is the rights of the children who do not participate in those programs,” said Rev. Vicki Zust, rector of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Upper Arlington.
Three opponents were able to give their testimony during last week’s Ohio House Primary and Secondary Education Committee meeting and committee chair Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, had to remind those in attendance to be quiet during testimony.
“We are not applauding. … We remain silent,” Manning said.
The three opponents specifically spoke about experiences they have seen with LifeWise Academy , a Hilliard-based religious instruction program that enrolls 50,000 students across 29 states . LifeWise, a non-denominational Christian program that teaches the Bible, is in more than 170 Ohio school districts .