Off School Property: How the Faithful are Winning the Battle of Separation of Church and State

Unbeknownst at the time, a little-known Supreme Court ruling from more than seventy years ago would ignite a growing movement of teaching the Bible during school hours called Lifewise Academy. The Bible-based education program has now partnered with over 1,000 schools across 35 states nationwide. When the federal government removed Bible education and prayer from public school curriculums, the Supreme Court ruled in 1952 on a compromise: Zorach vs Clauson. It permits public schools to release students during school hours “for religious instruction or devotional exercises.” For years, the law went unnoticed and unfulfilled as secular forces in the public square banged the drumbeat of ‘Separation of Church and State.” But when former college football player Joel Penton discovered it, he took it and ran with it, creating Life Wise in 2019.

On this episode of the Lighthouse Faith podcast, Penton talks about the new documentary on Life Wise called “Off School Property” and how the program has evolved to restore faith education on school property.

Off School Property will be released in theatres on October 23 in partnership with Fathom Entertainment.