Of course the Sudweeks force the Mormon religion on the kids at Whitmore. If the kids do not attend, even if they are sick, then they are punished. Not saying anything is wrong with the Mormon religion, or any other religion. But the Sudweeks simply LIE when they tell parents that the kids can "walk to any other church in town, and go where they CHOOLSE." And the kids know better than to even try and confront Cheryl about making an independent choice about going to any other church!