Scholar J. Gresham Machen said:
“An education that trains the mind without training the moral sense is a menace to civilization rather than a help.” …Do we want a federal Department of Education, or do we not? I think we do not. And I am asking your permission to tell you very briefly why. We do not, I think, want a federal Department of Education because such a Department is in the interests of a principle of uniformity or standardization in education which would be the very worst calamity into which this country could fall.”
Martin Luther said:
“I’m afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of youth.”
“Public schooling (secular education) is disobedience to God. Herein lies the primary reason why Christians should not use public schools any longer. Having been educated myself in public schooling through college, having become a Christian at age 33, and having put our five children through combinations of public and private Christian schools, I can only look back and confess that I was not always obedient in ‘education.’
I wish every day I could relive some of those years and do it ‘by the Book.’ But those days are gone. It is only the present in which we can decide to be obedient in this all-important field we call education. The Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) There is simply no easy way around the fact that putting our children in an anti-Christian education system is not training them up in the way they should go.
Many parents want to say, “But we are giving our children Bible training at home.” Really? Are you going back to all subject matter your children are taking and giving them a scripture-based education to correct wrong teaching? If so, you are in essence homeschooling them, so why continue to have them enrolled in the public school? If you mean that you are giving your children moral training, and letting the public school give them ‘academic’ training, you are simply denying them a Christian worldview. Your children are being given an anti-Christian worldview in all subjects at the local public school.”
-Dan Smithwick
Read the rest of this great article HERE.
32 comments
Kelly,
I’m interested in knowing what kind of scripture-based curriculum you use to homeschool. Have you talked about this before?
I’ve never really thought about inserting a Christian world view into every subject like this article says. I could definitely see it in history or science, but how does it work for math? There’s got to be something better than “Look! God made these beans! Let’s count them!” But that’s what comes to mind. 🙂
K in the mirror,
Great question…I used to think the same thing about math. I heard one of the most profound teachings once about how math is so “full of God”, but of course, I can’t remember the details enough to recount them.
But it was enough to make me realize that when we FAIL to teach every subject from a biblical perspective, (or allow someone else to), we teach them humanism by default.
Let me explain…God created the universe and every principle that rules it. Math is one the most obvious creations of God when you begin to consider things like the intricacies of the solar system, laws of science, etc. Mind-boggling math was God’s creation!
The only reason 2 plus 2 is 4, is because that’s the way God set up the law of the universe.
To try and take God’s law, God’s idea, and God’s logic, and teach it to a child while divorcing it from its very Creator is, well, almost blasphemous, in my opinion! (Reminds me of plagarism??? Not sure how to spell that.)
So I guess the answer to your question is that you don’t necessarily have to make a Bible lesson out of every math problem. Rather, it’s a whole of the educational philosophy.
To “steal” knowledge from the One who created it, and try to teach it to a child who is learning all this stuff for the first time without pointing back to the Source, is to teach him that knowledge comes from man. And that is to teach the religion of humanism.
(By the way, we use some ACE curriculum, and fill in with living books, and a lot of Scripture!)
Kelly,
I blogged about two more reasons to not use public schools, but I didn’t want to post it here because it got so long, and also because I’m one of those strange people that don’t see it as a Biblical mandate to homeschool but believe–firmly–that it is the best way to school your children. 🙂 I figured I’d just link it to you, Kelly, for food for thought…
Right here
p.s. you can skip down to the third or fourth paragraph…that’s when the thoughts about public school start. The first few paragraphs are about my beliefs, experience, what we do, etc. Sort of a preamble and ramble about
Okay, I have to chime in on the math thing. I wasn’t sure how to “add” God to math. I thought this curriculum did a terrific job, it really startled me!
http://www.christcentercurriculum.com/curriculum/samples/MathWorkBookB/mwbBPg7.php
I at least want to start off teaching math like this, I think my husband would like Saxons later on. 🙂
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/Jonash2004
The link didn’t completely copy – so make sure you click on the math workbooks and not the lesson guide. 🙂
God in math lessons—–
I would say that there is a beautiful pattern and a purpose for everything. There are also a lot of things that can be explained in mathematical equations, like in chemistry, biology, and in many kinds of physics, probabilities, …but many of these things are way beyond our average experience and ability to comprehend math. Since math can be involved in almost every process, we can say that God used math in everything. Dr. Robert A. Herrmann published a detailed article in the Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation in 1982 that mathematically showed that some of the “attributes” of our God of the Bible are true. I think he may have been trying to mathematically prove the existence of God! This is an incredible thing, and not many know of it, due probably to the scientific community and media bias that we have, plus the fact that most of us would not understand his equations. Anyway, this is an example of what can and has been done with math!
–B.
I am an educator in a public school, and let me say, this blog is very interesting. Homeschooling your children is definitely an excellent choice for all of you who have posted here apparently. However, what about the MILLIONS of children who rely on public education due to the fact that they have no parents. Where do your convictions lie as far as humanity is concerned? You all detest an establishment that is not inherently evil.
I personally educate my students morally based on issues that are UNIVERSAL and are not original to ANY religion. After all, virtues and morals echo one another proverbially. If one genuinely has motive to be a good fellow of mankind, HE or SHE will not focus on the ego, rather bettering mankind.(But I realize that not all human beings exist to better mankind, and I digress!)
I feel as if this particular topic isn’t being viewed holistically enough. I understand the viewpoint displayed here as “the parents are the sole Christian guardian of a child’s best interest” scenario. I can’t help but wonder about the children who aren’t PRIVILEGED to have families such as yours. I am left with the questions: “WHAT NOW?” and “HOW DO WE FIX THIS?”
Also, how does it feel to pay for an institution you adamantly oppose?
I feel like every hour I spend at my children’s wonderful public school is an act of ministry to kids whose parents cannot be there. I considered homeschooling but decided against it because of the fantastic opportunity to work with kids of all backgrounds and socioeconomic groups and to have my kids learn from this experience. We are having a great experience with this. We review our choice continually and pray over it. In no way (really, in NO way) have our religious beliefs been compromised by our choice in this matter. We have a great group of supportive friends and parents and teachers who share our values. I am so glad that my kids are learning along the way how to negotiate their beliefs in the secular realm in a gentle and age appropriate way.
I so worry that a generation of Christians are being raised to not see the needs of families not as well organized and prepared as their own or to merely pity those people from a distance. We have 500+ kids in foster care in our county (and no, most of those kids do not have a family member who is in a position to care for them. Many of them don’t even have a family member that is allowed to visit them because of the level of dysfunction) and by rejecting the public education system outright, Christians are in in a very real way rejecting those kids (unless they adopt them of course).
Many of the homeschoolers I know, at the core, have had bad experiences in school or have not had their children’s needs met at school, but reacting to those experiences is very different than saying that it is somehow a Biblical mandate.
There is a lot about our modern life that is not “scriptural”. Food processors, cars, public health and sanitation, proper treatment of the differently abled, women and children (meaning, they are no longer property or less than human. Unfortunately as this thread attests we are far from getting this right), etc. etc.. I’d add public education to this list. How we educate our children is not one of those things that is what is often called an “Essential” (ie it is something we are given to discern, it isn’t a doctrinal issue like, say, baptism or the resurrection) to our faith and it is far too often a divisive element in churches and communities. What Jesus did tell us to do is care for the poor, dispossessed, and vulnerable.
To the anonymous public school educator:
Those millions of children without parents you mentioned do have some legal guardians raising them—those children are not completely on their own. They have either grandparents or foster parents or some other taking responsibility for their education and proper up-bringing. They, too, could choose to homeschool those children.
The results we are getting from federally funded schools and others like them are declining skills in basic knowledge of rudimentary reading, history, geography, science, english grammar, math, and socialization. There has been a decline in knowledge and thinking for oneself and in getting along with others, and even in self-esteem, leading to more school violence, and that continues after graduation.
Is this a proper up-bringing? Is this responsibility, or a lack of it, on the part of the schools, parents, and of the students, who are not required to know as much as they should upon graduation? Giving more homework is not helping the situation. Spending more years and hours in school is not helping. There are a lot of things going on in public education that are wasteful of our children’s time and minds.
It is actually destructive to their minds and time, I would say. We end up turning out from public school so many more hateful, disillusioned, and disappointed kids after graduation that turn to promiscuous sex, drugs, alcohol, suicide, violence, theft, broken relationships, and irresponsibility and indifference in the work place. What happened to the good ‘ol days of trusting strangers and enjoying the rewards of hard work? I think it is vanishing because of the brain drain coming mostly from public schooling.
As for your thinking that public school is holistic and not inherently evil, you must take a closer look. Follow the money–and there’s lots of it involved in our public schools. The Bible says that the root of all evil is money. It takes on an average one to two thousand dollars of our taxes to educate just one student each year in public school. Homeschooling, in comparison, (in my home) takes one to five hundred dollars per child per year.
Many of these tax-funded schools are requiring the students to buy their own school supplies, books, and lunches, in addition to this already staggering ticket price. One school in Washington, D.C., with the highest dollar spent per child per year in the whole country, began this year with no air conditioning and NO SCHOOL BOOKS! Can you see where the money goes to? Teachers themselves are not paid as much as this tax money could afford, if it were spent wisely. It is all a farce, a false tale, telling us all that our children need this great education in order to make something of themselves in this world, and the more money we invest–or the more we let them pull out of our pockets, the better the education will be. Well, the results have consistently and historically shown that the money is not being spent in the right places, and that the quality of public education is going down the drain.
Now, about being holistic! The only religion that gets the “separation between church and state” is the Christian religion. All others are welcome and encouraged. It’s the world full of religions against Christianity. You can not deny this. See what the ACLU allows and encourages and what it does not.
Sure, we all should have some “universal” understanding of morals. I would call this a “universal” conscience that is inspired by our Creator, the Christian God. Don’t be fooled, though. There are millions of those who have no conscience any more and are completely won over to evil. Neither should you be fooled into believing that every religion has good morals, all the same as Christianity. Look into Islam, for one, or into Hinduism. Islam promotes violence, fear, hatred, and murder, not love and forgiveness. Hinduism promotes the self as god, not the real God, and encourages disunity and disrespect among its people, as some are thought of to be closer to having attained godhood than others.
Why would you say that there is a holistic understanding of morals in such an indiscriminate system as our public schools (except that they do discriminate AGAINST Christianity)? One person will say that abortion is a good and needful thing, and another (Christian or muslim) will disagree? Do you agree with those many driving public education and promoting abortion therein that killing our children for our own convenience will, as in your own words, “better mankind?” Do you also agree that casual sex with any one, any time will “better mankind?” Further, do you believe that rewarding children for doing a mediocre job or a poor job, with little of their own effort, will also “better mankind?” Do you also agree with them that forcing dangerous and harmful vaccinations on our trusting children and administering drugs to them for mere behavioral problems, only for them to end up addicted to them and dependant on similar drugs for their lifetime, is “bettering mankind?”
May I add here that Christianity (almost entirely banned from public schools) is the ONLY religion which takes our focus OFF our ego? It is the only religion that puts the needs of others first before our own, in all circumstances of life. It is the only religion that offers forgiveness for free, and it is the only religion that places our actions as our responsibility. Psychology, on the other hand, tells us to blame everyone else for the wrong that we do. Where are anxious and confused kids sent to in their public schools? To the guidance counsellor, AKA the school psychologist.
How do we fix this? Take their attendance numbers down and show them that we do not like what they are producing. We need havens for our children, to nurture them and train them up to be respectable and respectful individuals, happy with themselves and compassionate toward others.
The closer we get to home training or home schooling, the closer we get to understanding and meeting their real needs, and to moulding them into healthy, happy, and productive adults.
The only thing left that government schools could do, and they probably will have to resort to this someday, as did Germany, is to force us all to send our children to their schools and not allow private education or homeschooling to be legal any more.
–B.
B–
I can see that you have anger and resentment in your heart, and I do understand what you are saying. However, you didn’t answer my questions at all.
First and foremost, let me tell you that I was one of those children who DID NOT have anyone. Yes, we do have others that will take care of those children, but they are not doing a very good job of it. My senior year of high school, their was an influence on my life that led to my betterment as a human being, and that person was a high school teacher. I feel that what you are experiencing is biased and is terribly one-sided. I understand. This sort of mentality has existed since the beginnings of Christianity. How can we teach our children to think for themselves if they are not allowed to make a guilt-free decision of choosing their OWN religion or simply PHILOSOPHY. Believe me, I am not downing the Christian faith;I merely question it. And please take a look at Buddhist philosophy on the ego before you start throwing aspersions about the end-all-be-all of Christianity.
I care not to question your knowledge of your faith because I am not in any doubt that you are more than ready to throw out a bible verse or two.
What I am interested to know is how all of you with these intense convictions plan to fix this so-called public education “problem.”
I personally feel that some Christians can tone it down a bit in their zeal and focus on finding FEASIBLE solutions. Simply taking attendance numbers down in a particular area will do nothing but give those public school students a better student-teacher ratio, thus HELPING public education. Also, aren’t we all forgetting that most of the universities in this country are FILLED mostly with students who had a public education.
I appreciate your concern for my profession, but I don’t see the homeschool movement to be any threat. I am SO happy that their are good parents like everyone here who have taken such an interest in their children’s education and hope that this will stay trendy.
What happened to the “good ‘ol days” of yesteryear? They are simply good ol’ gone.
B,
You said, “The Bible says that the root of all evil is money.”
That’s a fairly common mistake. It actually says, “The LOVE OF money is a root of all KINDS of evil.”
So it’s not money itself… it’s the love of money. And it’s not the root of ALL evil, just all kinds of evil.
Just thought I’d clarify that for you.
Peace,
Sara
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/11/28/fuzzy-math-a-nationwide-epidemic/
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=23632
http://www.eagleforum.org/topics/goals2000/goals2000.html
Thank you for your response, anon. teacher! Above are some links you might take the time to read about the turning out of attitudes of our kids from public schools. Only a very few kids today really care to learn, and will do so despite whatever situation they are placed in. I think this is what Murchison’s article says, too. But, our govt. schools are dumbing down our next generations, confusing them, and even thwarting their sense of importance and individuality in the world.
About Buddhism, this religion came directly from Hinduism, and is very much like it. People essentially become their own gods. They also have other gods, images, or statues, which they feed and cater to daily. It has many of the same problems as other religions, like Hinduism. There are many of their temples that are full of child prostitutes. This religion does not “better mankind,” nor do its philosophies!
There is only one God and one true religion, the true peace between God and mankind, the truth in how to live life fully and to be fulfilled, to continue to have joy and hope throughout all circumstances, and to be able to carry that message of joy and hope to others who are willing to receive it. This is Christianity!!!
What is it that you question about the Christian faith? Could this doubtfulness you have also be from the influence of your environment? After all, govt. schools, the mainstream media, and most public places are attacking and eradicating Christianity from this country as fast and best as they can…..But you should have a Bible close at hand, and a worthy Christian church which may answer your questions.
You say that you were one of those children who had someone other than your parents to raise you, and that they did not do a very good job of it, so you conclude that public school was and is the best option for all those in that circumstance. What?!!!! Do you understand that you are blaming others for the outcome of your life? You are saying that the horror of public school training today is better than anything else any child in that circumstance would receive?!
Yes, I am glad that God placed one good teacher in your way to help you become a “better” person! But, bettering oneself is only in your own eyes if you do not believe that there is only one standard to base all of our judgement upon. Eveeryone has their own ideas of what is good and what is not. Our Creator God has given us that one true and everlasting standard, called the Ten Commandments. No one has kept all of them, except the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and for this reason, He is the only acceptable sacrifice for all of our sins. No one can win God’s favour through their own works or wisdom. It is only through the unselfish, compassionate sacrifice of Christ and our trusting in Him and following Him that we are saved. Even then, we still make mistakes. But through the Perfect One, our sins are covered and we are also made perfect, like He is.
I also went through public school and through college. Now that I am a Christian (that happened a few years after college), I can see the evil bent in the persuasion of the public school arena and also of most colleges. Take a look at the titles of some of today’s college courses. Sleazy and liberal, anti-american, anti-white-male (racist adn sexist), etc., etc.—deplorable!!
And most kids attending college are just there for a degree so that they can start making their millions. Most do not care about real education.
Attendance:
If we had no public schools, the responsibility of teaching children would be on their caretakers. I know that this is good, because with added responsibility comes a more vigorous desire to make our efforts worthwhile, usually. And I suppose that if it were still not undertaken by the care-givers, that the children themselves might seek out on their own to accomplish some sort of useful or good education. Why not homeschool with neighbors or friends?
Public school began because there were not many folks in this country yet, and time it took to complete basic work at home for the moms and at home or away for the dads was much greater than it is today. Now, we have got many more in the work force, and many more “things” working for us. There were less moms and dads that could read or teach, for another reason that they had not learned themselves. Schools opened for the main purpose of teaching children of all ages to read, so that they could read–THE BIBLE, at least, and then there was writing and math.
Now what is public school? It’s largely a baby-sitting program with the weak promise attached that graduation from such will automatically give you a better paying job. Sappy! Where is the goal of learning for the sake of enjoyment and pursuit of knowledge for expanding one’s mind in understanding and for the purpose of helping others out? No, these are selfish goals that are promoted or at least understood by those attending schools, that they are going to school so that they can get a “good”(paying) job later. (to help pay for their children’s education….)
(Sara, thanks for the clarification about money and evil in the Bible! All evil, I would say, stems from disbelief and rebellion from God’s Word, and selfishness and greed will come into that.)
–B.
Another clarification:
The “beginnings of Christianity”, according to the Word of the One True God is at the very beginning of creation. Try reading Genesis! The promise to mankind for his redemption from sin is there in Genesis, at the foundation of this world as we know it. It is, therefore, the oldest of religions, and has always been with us!!
–B.
I’ve been following this thread with great interest- there are many good points made.
I don’t see anywhere that anyone has addressed anon.’s original questions of “what now and how do we fix this” and I’d be interested to know what you all think. Do you feel that pulling your children from the system will itself fix it, because there will so many less that it will force a change? Or do you feel that we as Christians have any responsibility to prompt change in some other way?
Also, how DO you feel about paying for the system when you aren’t using it?
Kelly in the Mirror,
I’m sorry that I am responding, again, but…we probably would rather hear from others with new viewpoints…
I guess the question from anon. teacher is, “What do we do right now with the kids that are not going to receive quality care and education at home? How do we fix that problem?” How do we fix the problem of parents/caretakers being neglectful or abusive? What do we do when some people are not willing to make a living for themselves? Those are other similar issues.
I disagree that it ought to be up to Uncle Sam. Leave it all up to him, and he usually makes the situation worse, and bigger than it was to begin with. You can already see this, as in school, the departments of human social services, and welfare (and what about our medical care?!).
Say, for example that Uncle Sam votes that it is everyone’s perogative to play football for at least two years in highschool, practice witchraft for a credit in diversity/ history/ social sciences, or that it is mandatory for everyone to begin school at three months of age. Then all of us people are forced to do whatever he wants, or else jail, and/or else confiscation of the kids to someone else-like DHR foster care.
I say,”Yes! Take them all out of public school! Stop the nonsense that is being taught! Stop ruining our country!” Though, I do realize that this particular anon. teacher, and many others, have a genuine desire to “make a difference” and influence their classes in a positive way. This has to be in total disregard of the whole system and the motives and agendas behind government schools. Those precious, caring teachers are like little sticks stuck in the sand, trying to remain upright even in the face of the oncoming tide of the ocean of big government.
I think that there will be no stopping the public school mess that we are in. I am pessimistic, yes. If homeschooling and private schooling were ever a “threat” to public school, they would be made illegal, simple as that. There would be no chance to revolutionize education, once again. At least, right now, we are in a good situation for homeschoolers. They are far and above succeeding over the other school children, and casting shame and questions on the other systems. As long as some can still do it, that is great; and the numbers are increasing by leaps and bounds every year. Again, whenever it becomes a “threat”…Good-bye to all that proven success!!
As Christians, maybe we should be welcoming in other children to our homes to teach them along with our own, to avoid them going to the public school.
If so, we should do so with a lot of discretion and research, needing to know the family situation and difficulty of re-training disobedient older children if that is the case; plus we would need to be sure that we would not be viewed solely as babysitting services. We would have to know that the caretakers honestly desire a good education for their children, but are in every way unable to do so themselves.
As for paying for something we believe is wasteful and don’t even use ourselves–we must GLADLY pay our dues to our God-given lawmakers, even if they are corrupt! We must do it, trusting and obeying God’s Word. I wish that we could receive tax breaks from it, though. Vouchers will never work.
–B.
Let me add an apology to the public school teacher. I always get into trouble when I blog. I am sorry that I said you are blaming others for the outcome of your life. I know that we are not islands, and that many others do influence our lives. I should not have been so harsh. Please forgive me.
–B.
B,
I think that you have WAY too much time on your hands! You have managed to take what I have said and turned it into a Sunday school lesson.
Thank you to the blogger who brought my questions back up. I honestly don’t think that anyone can answer these questions.
I do agree with you, B, that everyone has his or her own different opinion about what is right or wrong. However, I feel that you are mistaken that Christianity has existed since “Genesis.” The eastern religions were documented further back than Judaism; Asians were amazing astronomists, writers, etc. All I was merely saying is that most all of the major religions echo one another proverbially–THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN!
My environment has nothing to do with how I think and how I believe. I have several close Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Druid, Atheist, Agnostic, Gnostic, Dualist, and Jewish friends, and we all manage to get together in a religious tolerance group every month and speak about how much we are alike and how tolerant we must be. B, you have a very pessimistic outlook on anything that is not Christian, and that can be harmful to your cause. Such an attitude contributes to the animosity that this current state of the world thrives on.
I do accept your apology; I realize that it.is only natural to react with anger. However, I do not blame my life’s outcome on others. I used that outcome to give myself the motive to achieve my goals in a positive way–no religions attached.
I have an apology myself. I shouldn’t ask questions that really have NO solid answer. I didn’t mean for anyone to try and reinvent the wheel! 🙂
What remains here is that there really is no resolve. Public education will exist as long as children have a need and the governmental affiliates (such as myself) can do what some parents will not…educate.
Let me reiterate that I am happy for those of you who have chosen to homeschool your children; that is very admirable. However, I hope to be representative of a rational responsible citizen for those children who attend public school and I will not show favoritism to any religion–not to degrade any religion, but to show tolerance for all religions.
Thank you for your time, B.
Anon. Public School Educator
Public school teacher, I will maintain that Judaism and Christianity are the oldest religions on earth. You really need to read Genesis and see that this is the beginning of beginnings, and that this is where these religions began. All other religions are an ignorance, rebellion, and spin-off of Biblical teaching, and arose after the promise was made by our Christian God to His created people, in Genesis. It is interesting to me that you use scripture from the Bible to help you prove your point! You must not realize that true Christianity is at odds with all other religions, and that if you were to discuss religion with all of your friends present, some very big differences in belief would arise. Most other religions are hostile to Christianity, especially Islam. Do you really think that there is no absolute truth, or that truth is only relative? Believing that all religions are equal is this same as belief in a liquid truth!
—B
A. teacher:
I guess you also believe in evolution, because of your comment about Asians being amazingly gifted. They were not the only ones! (And what does that have to do with their religion, anyway?!) I believe that all of the wisdom and knowledge that there is or ever will be came from God, the Omnipotent. He hands out knowledge whenever and to whomever He wants to. Again, back in Genesis, there are verses describing the immediate abilities of humans, abilities and knowledge for these things handed to them from their Creator. Interestingly, all of the earliest recorded civilizations (other than in the Bible’s record) began living where? In the areas near the Ark’s famed landing!! They began in Turkey, and spread out from there. Really, Christianity and Creationism are some of the most fascinating subjects for me to study! I wish you would also take the time to look into them! Using Christian resources would be of the most benefit, if you were to search out your questions about Christianity and Biblical teaching.
–B.
God, the Omnipotent and Omniscient! It is really funny how folks will say that Creation is not science, as if God knows nothing about science!!!
B.
One last thing to the teacher: I did answer your question of “what next?” two times. I’m sorry that you did not like my answer. Maybe someone else will comment on it also.
B.
Uh-oh! I have to add more.
School teacher said:
“What remains here is that there really is no resolve. Public education will exist as long as children have a need and the governmental affiliates (such as myself) can do what some parents will not…educate.”
I say: As long as there is welfare, some people will not work!
This does not mean that we need public education. It continues the idea that parents need not train or educate their children. We do not need welfare. It highly discourages those who can receive it to never go to work, and it discourages others in the position to help truly needy people to help them–leave it up to the public sector, not the private, and here we have these messes!
B.
Dearest Readers,
Upon the subject of education. here are some thoughts to ponder. I am a a Chritian woman with a disability (Vision impairment of the guide dog useing, Braille reading variety). My mother from my earliest years was gravely ill (in and out of hospital right through my teens till her death just after my 19th birthday. Of the divorce generation, it was all she could do to keep our home – let alone educate us (in particular me). Educators, dedicated and true taught me safe travel skills, typing (how can one write when one cannot see to do it effectively even with visual aids?), Braille, adaptive daily living skills and so much more than my dear mother neigter had the strength (nor patience) to teach me. At the critical time during highschool when the natural world was being studied, we had the blessing of a Christian teacher for this subject. As half the class were Christian, he handled the topic admirably.
I know many many people who benefited greatly from a ‘formal’ education model – those with a vision impairment, those who are deafblind, those with significant physical disabilities, down syndrome and the like. This edducation also brought to the attention of my mother other parents with children with disabilities from whom she could gain support and to whom she could give it (helped with the isolation so many parents of children with significant disabilities often feel). Did you know, tragically, the divorce rate among parents with children who have a significant or profound disability is over 70%.
Additionally, in my nation, the state helps with costly modifications and equipment such as wheelchairs, home modifications – did you know a Braille pinter costs $7,000? Just to ‘read’ the screen in front of me takes a text to speech program costs $1,700, an electric wheelchair will leave you with not much out of $50,000-$100,000! And yet the little the state gives, if gone, would leave us floundering. Employment of people with vision impairments who want to work, who can work and are of working age is frightfully low in Australia )underemployment and poverty wages taken into consideration) 90%. In the US, it is 70% and in Europe, 30% or there abouts. My mother could not teach me Braille. At 16, when large print became too great a burden for my faltering sight, Braille saved the day and at 17 I received my first Braille Bible.(large print Bibles though large to sighted eyes are nothing to many folk with VI).
I know that I have strayedd off topic, but as someone with a disability who also knows so many with disabilities, homeschooling was simply not an option for our families and we are thankful to have received the education we have received.if parents are going to undertake homeschooling of their children with disabilities, or if the homeschooling parents themselves have a significant disability, there is little support in my nation to ease the extra work necessary.
To fix this, providers of homeschool curricula needd to develop comprehensive support for parents of children with all types of special needs – vision loss, deafblindness, cerebral palsy (the only work out there is being done for children with autism spectrum disorders) and whilst laudible touches only one tiny corner of the disability world).
For information on adaptive tech for folk with vision loss, see
http://www.freedomscientific.com
for Christian literature, Bibles, fellowship groups, retreats and holidays see:
http://www.torchtrust.org
We are the great ignored in Christian circles – many churches claiming our disabilities are due to lack of faith in jesus Christ. Only 20% of firm believers with disabilities who wish to attend church regularly can actually get there. When there, even if churches have adhered to minimum access standards, many who use wheelchairs cannot access restrooms etc when there (i’ve seen this at church myself with a womans’ ministry leader left in great difficulty because she couldn’t get her wheelchair intoto the ‘ladies’ which was supposedly wheelchair accessible. Then there’s the reliance upon the printed word and overheads (read Torch Trust’s site for workarounds that every church should impliment)
Once at church, the representation of people with disabilities in positions of lay leadership, in the ministry or occupying high ranking office within the denominational hierarchical structure is woeful. Torch Trust is the only organisation I know of where half the trustees are blind and of this half, two are ministers.
yes, i know i have strayed greatly, but no one seems to be fixing this!
Sincerely,
Christian with a Disability.
Dear Christian w/a Disability,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am glad that you were able to get supportive services that could provide you with a quality education!
Many people want to say that homeschooling is the best, and some want to go so far as to say it’s the only Godly way to educate your children… but nobody has an answer for what to do with children whose parents can’t homeschool for one reason or another. People with disabilities are a great example. The poor and single mothers are another example. This issue is such a vast one with many intricacies, and we can’t make blanket statements without providing for those who might be exceptions to the rule.
May I ask what denomination you belong to? It struck me when you said that some churches think your disabilities are due to a lack of faith… I was raised in a church that taught something similar to this… but I’m Lutheran now, and the Lutheran church is generally not one that would claim such a hurtful thing. I’m sorry that the church has expressed such a wrong, harmful attitude toward you!
Peace,
Sara
Sarah,
Thank you for such a well thought out reply. As a teen, I can tell you the youth of the churches I attended treated me (and this is the experience of many young folk with a vision impairment) terribly; I did not fit in therefore I was ignored with folk even stating to some who would go out on a limb and talk to me that speaking to such like myself was unwise – in earshot mind you! Yes, THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED!!!
I have sadly found homeschooled children and youth ( from this denomination and others ) some of the most blindingly arrogant I have ever encountered; Disabled, formally schooled, from a single parent home = untouchable; and untouchable I was.
That was as a member of a denomination that has incorporated many OT practices into its requirements and believes it is the only true denomination. Now, as an Anglican (the denomination of my early childhood and the one mhy mother returned to just prior to her death ) I encounter little of this yet the barriers to full paticipation in worship and the like still linger. The ‘speak it, claim it’ pernitious theology I have encountered (hiding in the corners, so to speak)in all denominations across the Christian spectrum from ‘mainstream’ to sect; it seems to slowly be growing though to any who would consider it as viable, I would ask you read Exodus 4: 10-12..
I have also encountered women in tragic situations who were brought up in the ‘Federal family’, were homeschooled, courted, Biblically feminine and who went on to homeschool their own children only to be dropped like a sack of potatoes when their husband passed away. So much for the church taking care of those in need. this woman was left to flounder – a disgrace to the visionary family movement if ever there was one has been the treatement of women such as this.
The formal education landscape has changed over the past 20 years or so, but homeschool proponents become strangely quiet when mention of children/parents with disabilities, single parents and the like are raised. These issues truly need to be urgently addressed if homeschooling (that many believe to be the only way) is going to be truly accessible for all who would ideally like to undertake it.
What is needed are practical, realistic, workable, adaptable and TIMELY solutions now lest the homeschool landscape remain barred to so many who would otherwise wish to utilize it (especially in the domaine of Christian homeschooling).
In Australia, compulsory education of people with a significan vision impairment only came to be in 1946!
These answers need not only pertain to the US, but Europe, the UK, Australia (its states having different laws re HS), africa, asia and the like. Christian children do not only live in america.
Answers are essential and I have read none in the vast expanse of pro homeschooling (especially Visionary/Federal family) if parents with disabilities or parents with children who have a disability are not left to feel by default like second class christians. Then there’s the courting scene. That was a slap in the face for a young Christian girl with a disability from a single parent family wasn’t it! again, untouchable, merely half saved, unsuitable.
If the flagbearers of the Biblical family movement are to redeem themselves, they must make, and make now, changes that do not leave women such as me hanging in the wind and vulnerable. I thank God He found me a husband at 35 (not from the above demographic) who brought me hope (and eased a very difficult transition into the Anglican faith).
I know other women who have also suffered much hurt from the courting set because they come from backgrounds like mine.
This is a call to those families to actually become mature, cease ignoring this grave problem they perpetuate and model true Christian love, not exclusion of God’s number because they don’t tick all the boxes even though they are dedicated to Jesus Christ nonetheless.
Sincerely,
Christian with a disability.
PS: this may sound pained and riddled with anxiety; I simply am not seeing a stand being made for the legions of Christian women out there like me who are swept aside as chaff by so many of these groups even though we yearn as everyone else to live the Biblical standard and do (despite our backgrounds, families, schooling or that in which we educate the next generation). Parents in particular with disabilities are under enough pressure as it is; I don’t think many readers realise just how difficult it is; without the standard bearers ignoring us at best or rejecting us as a problem they yearn will go away at worst.
This is a call to arms. Homeschoolers who have read this, stand up, take it to heart and begin the work in your own circles – family, church and HS community, that children and young people are spared the experience I had. Practice the same habbits Jesus practice – going out to those who were hurting, rejected by the religeous authorities of the day and those seen as not even worthy of being shaded by the shadow of the above authorities. Homeschoolers, remember the parable of the man who held his son’s marriage to which none of his upright friends could come so in the end he sent messengers out to gather up the blind, the crippled, the poor, the dispossessed, the untouchables and have them come. it is at once a commission and a grave warning.
Anon,
I have obviously been away, and still am really, and haven’t read many of the comments made recently on this post. I happen to stop in and read this one, and wanted to take a quick minute to respond.
I see that you have obviously been hurt by people, or groups of people…I am so sorry.
As a homeschooling mom, who does believe it to be the best way, though not realistic for every family, my constant prayer is that He would keep our family humbled, serving, and ready to mend the broken-hearted. We fail often, as does every family, in many areas of our spiritual journey. We are sinners. Sinners striving to be holy, and live a life of love and purity while loving others from every walk of life. But we do mess up.
I think Satan has found a foothold in some families, nurturing a spirit of pride and self-righteousness in them. These failures, though, do not eradicate the foundational principles of living out Godly standards.
You mentioned churches not taking care of widows–I think that is a tragedy. And it must be dealt with if we are to hold up the beliefs we claim.
I wonder if you have pinpointed the groups or churches you have seen fall short, and failed to seek out those who are doing a better job of portraying true Christianity???
I know there are no easy answers to some of our culture’s dilemmas…nor are there perfect people. But it saddens me to see someone who has a “bad taste” for something good because of a few bad examples.
When I give bad examples for my stands on public school, etc., I am giving what I see to be respresentative of the majority.
I pray that the Lord would lead you to encounter some loving, godly homeschoolers, because I know there are many out there.
And when it’s all said and done, we can’t choose our convictions, standards, or way of life based on how other people are handling things, but rather with the Word of God as our standard.
My desire here is simply to urge people to get into the Word, and find out what God desires, instead of allowing the apathetic culture around us to dictate our choices.
Word Warrior,
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my musings with sensitivity.
Oh, that my experiences could be so easily attributed to ‘looking for’ the worst case scenarios. Sadly, my encounters happened in the congregations I found myself in, and yes it was hurtful. it is for this reason I am fervently passionate to ensure the same doesn’t happen to others who are not of ideal stock and the way to do this is to be a testamony and a preventative warning. All too easily, ‘normal’ folk don’t even give the situation I and legions of others find ourselves in any thought as they are not rubbing up against it in their own lives. I therefore send out a clarion call that those striving to live out the Biblical life for themselves, their children and their families are reminded, lest they be snared by the enemy’s trap of exclusivity.
You make an interesting observation that homeschooling is the ‘right’ option (for the Christian family ) but not always realistic. if it is indeed right (which I believe it is) then the movers and shakers in the homeschooling community SHOULD ENSURE THEY MAKE THEIR MODEL REALISTIC for the disabled, the poor or the single parent otherwise two standards are being peddled; that of ‘it is right for Christians to home educate’ whilst cancelling this statement out with ‘it is not realistic’. if the bible says ‘do a thing’ but that thing is made inaccessible (for the disabled, for instance) then they are being effectively barred from sharing in God’s full blessing. What did George Orwell say in ‘Animal Farm’? “All men are equal but some are more equal than others”.
Obviously if homeschooling were not right, there would not be so many thousands of families pursuing it nor would there be so many commentators decrying the laxity of our modern public education system (throughout the western world). I know you are but one homeschooler educating but one family, but you are situated (through your writings here and through your music ministry) to work for change that all Christians who wish to homeschool but currently cannot (due to reasons outlined above) can, through the provision of expert support, resources and the like take their place at table with their able bodied, married or better off peers.
if the Bible says ‘do’, but the way is blocked through a sincere believer’s circumstances, needs or lack of provisions and resources then this must be remedied as soon as possible (including fervent lobbying for the ban on homeschooling to be lifted in nations such as Germany). answers such as ‘these problems are complex etc’ state the obvious whilst the longing still burns.
Any homeschoolers here who are in positions to influence for change, let this be your mission and your vision.
Sincerely,
Christian with a Disability
(running the race set before her)
“The ‘speak it, claim it’ pernitious theology I have encountered (hiding in the corners, so to speak)in all denominations across the Christian spectrum from ‘mainstream’ to sect; it seems to slowly be growing…”
A dangerous doctrine, indeed. It implies that we have power over God, that we should merely speak a magic formula and God will be forced (by His own law?) to bend to our desires. It also denies both our state in a fallen world, and the body, whose ailments are not merely spiritual “attacks” but the physical manifestation of being human and living in a fallen world.
Though I do believe that harmful doctrine can find its way into any denomination, it’s a fact that there are many denominations (especially liturgical) that, as a whole, will have no part of name it, claim it or prosperity theology. I have seen it in certain types of denominations, however, and I know that it exists and that it can be quite divisive. I am sorry that you have been harmed by it.
Peace,
Sara
I just came across this blog and it just breaks my heart. I thought it would be a place of encouragement for Christian families. Instead, the focus seems to be to cause division in the body of Christ by bashing public education and judging others on their choices for their family. As a former school teacher, I will readily admit that there are problems with public school, some more severe than others depending on where you live. However, as an Evangelical Christian seminary graduate I can say with confidence, NO WHERE is there a Biblical mandate on how to school your children. Twisting scripture to fit what you feel is right for your family is not real justification for what you think. Don’t take scripture out of context to fit your beliefs. We should all be spending time encouraging each other in EVERYTHING, every walk of life, instead of casting judgment for different decisions. I may be homeschooling my children but it is not because I think I’m holier for doing it. Far from it! I am a product of public school. I became a Christian while attending public school. I had Christian friends and teachers while attending public school. I also learned how to live out my faith in the world and remain true to Christ throughout. I have a Christian worldview. Why? Because my parents taught me all of those things and took me to church where I met Jesus and learned to walk in his grace. To think for a second that public school children will be “less Christian”, brainwashed, and all the other narrow-minded ideas that have been expressed here, is to have put God in a box that says, “I can only do my best work if children are homeschooled or attend a Christian school.” Doesn’t sound like the all-powerful God that I know. I pray that I never fall into a bubble of believing that what I do and say for my family is the only way and even worse a “holier” way. Let’s humble ourselves as we seek to follow Christ and love others the way He loved them. Let’s build up the body of Christ instead of tearing it down. Love and encourage each other in Christ, not in your personal convictions. Be the hands and feet of Jesus, not a voice of division.
HN: I’m so saddened and sorry you feel this way. THIS is what breaks my heart: “NO WHERE is there a Biblical mandate on how to school your children”
That there are Christians, let alone “seminary graduates” who think this way? It is no wonder why we are experiencing such judgement of our own making in our youth.
The Bible is FILLED with how to “educate” our children. Education means “discipleship” and the command and duty is written all over Scripture, of which we will give account. I would encourage you to read my most recent post (not that I think you’ll be convinced if you’ve made up your mind, unless you willing to let the status quo be challenged with the word of God) and especially these links, which I linked to in the comments:
The post: To My Christian Friends & Family Who Have Chosen Public School
The Goal of Education
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Jesus didn’t hang out with the righteous but instead the sinners and the Pharisees condemned him. Take the Christians out of school, take God out of school. The Christian in public school have the greatest possible ground to reach others. That is out job to reach the lost. “Go out into ALL nations preaching the gospel” Not just the good ones or Christian ones. We did to be like Jesus and instead of getting Christians out of the sinful places get them in there to reach. We need more real Christians in public school, Hollywood, the workforce. When we are soley committed to doing Gods will it will get accomplished and we will become better Christians.