{"id":2687780,"date":"2026-10-19T11:34:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T15:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blue-state-schools-forced-christians-to-keep-bibles-in-envelopes-so-other-students-wouldnt-be-exposed-to-them\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T11:34:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T15:34:57","slug":"blue-state-schools-forced-christians-to-keep-bibles-in-envelopes-so-other-students-wouldnt-be-exposed-to-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blue-state-schools-forced-christians-to-keep-bibles-in-envelopes-so-other-students-wouldnt-be-exposed-to-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue State Schools Forced Christians to Keep Bibles in Envelopes So Other Students Wouldn&#8217;t Be &#8216;Exposed to Them&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">36<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fblue-state-schools-forced-christians-to-keep-bibles-in-envelopes-so-other-students-wouldnt-be-exposed-to-them%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2687780&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A Washington school district that required elementary students to keep Bibles and worksheets from an off-campus Bible program in sealed envelopes has agreed to apologize, send board members to religious liberty training, change its policies, and pay $275,000 in attorney\u2019s fees.<\/p>\n<p>LifeWise Academy, which offers privately funded Bible instruction to public school students during the school day with parental permission, sued the Everett School District after the board adopted rules the group called discriminatory.<\/p>\n<p>Students who attended LifeWise classes were told that any Bible or worksheet they received had to return to school sealed in an envelope so that other students would not be \u201cexposed to them,\u201d LifeWise CEO Joel Penton told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/media\/washington-school-district-forced-kids-hide-bibles-sealed-envelopes-must-apologize-pay-275k\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fox News<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Parents also had to hand-deliver a fresh permission slip every week instead of signing one for the semester or year, and LifeWise was barred from some community fairs open to other groups.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">https:\/\/t.co\/gerkXyglKH<\/p>\n<p>Washington state has turned into a woke joke!! I\u2019m glad these cases happen to uncover and expose this nonsense !!<\/p>\n<p>@chrisreykdal you are definitely part of the problem!<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Chris (@HelmerChris) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/HelmerChris\/status\/2111138515530752281?\">October 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/> Penton said parents told him their children felt they were being told to hide their faith \u201cas though it was something to be ashamed of.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He said the weekly permission rule made the program impractical for many families.<\/p>\n<p>LifeWise had operated in Everett for several years before the changes. The organization tried to resolve the dispute with the district before filing suit.<\/p>\n<p>In April, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction, finding the district had engaged in viewpoint discrimination.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">https:\/\/t.co\/Alv7q60DNz. Can\u2019t believe this school district thought these policies were ok especially after the plethora of cases won on behalf of others treated like this elsewhere. The punishments are perfect.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jules V (@TimelessJewell) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TimelessJewell\/status\/2111150757127082427?\">October 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Wokeness in full swing is held accountable!!!!<br \/> https:\/\/t.co\/g0K8fpj8dQ<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Mor Allon (@allonster) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/allonster\/status\/2111150359901335955?\">October 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Same Everett School district had porn equivalent sex books in their libraries! War on Christianity from the left continues! https:\/\/t.co\/1QgxEz5Xu0<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 @4North49 (@UR4North49) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UR4North49\/status\/2111161919822496102?\">October 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The board approved a settlement this week that ends the case, <a href=\"https:\/\/justthenews.com\/nation\/religion\/school-district-pays-275000-changes-policies-settle-bible-study-discrimination\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Just the News<\/a> reported. It requires religious liberty training for board members, policy changes on religious activities, a public written apology posted on the district website for six months, and $275,000 in fees.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Washington school district forces students to hide Bibles \u2018sealed in an envelope\u2019 in backpacks, federal lawsuit alleges<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/t.co\/83CYN1JxzR<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Defiant L\u2019s (@DefiantLs) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DefiantLs\/status\/2013594702571020741?\">January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/> The apology acknowledges that comments at board meetings \u201cwere offensive and hurtful to the families participating in LifeWise programming.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>One board member had said \u201cI do in fact hold animus\u201d against the group of \u201chomophobic bullies\u201d seeking \u201can authoritarian theocracy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The statement adds that the district values the right of families to raise their children according to their own beliefs and apologizes to anyone made to feel their religious beliefs were unworthy of respect.<\/p>\n<p>The district said in a statement on its website that its student-release guidelines were updated to comply with the settlement and that it respects the preliminary injunction.<\/p>\n<p>Stephanie Taub, senior counsel at First Liberty, <a href=\"https:\/\/firstliberty.org\/media\/religious-release-time-program-reaches-settlement-with-washington-school-district\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> religious discrimination has no place in public schools and called the result a victory for release-time programs.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">HIDE THEIR FAITH? A Christian education CEO says elementary school students felt ashamed after being told to keep their Bibles in SEALED ENVELOPES when returning to school.<\/p>\n<p>Now, the WA district has agreed to a public apology, religious liberty training &#038; $275k in attorney\u2019s fees https:\/\/t.co\/YuyTXNDjVw<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Rachel del Guidice (@LRacheldG) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LRacheldG\/status\/2111133901020438951?\">October 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/> Penton said the settlement is a welcome victory for Everett families who want the same access and respect given to other optional programs.<\/p>\n<p>Off-campus religious instruction during the school day has been permitted under a 1952 Supreme Court ruling, as long as it is privately funded and requires parental consent.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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LifeWise Academy, which offers privately funded Bible instruction to public school students during the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2687781,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-10-19T100048.460.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2687780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-10-19T100048.460.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2687780","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2687780"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2687780\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2687781"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2687780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2687780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2687780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}