Thursday, September 6, 2007

Some Quotes...Schools and Humanism

Gen. Nathan F. Twining, on his retirement as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. - "Johnny may not read; but, he can be so well-adjusted that he won't know the difference." John Dewey, whose philosophy is the backbone of our public education system. - "There is no God and there is no soul. Hence, there are no needs for the props of traditional religion. With dogma and creed excluded, then immutable truth is also dead and buried. There is no room for fixed, natural law or moral absolutes." Paul Blanshard, a pioneer in the humanist movement. - "I think that the most important factor moving us toward a secular society has been the educational factor. Our schools may not teach Johnny to read properly, but the fact that Johnny is in school until he is 16 tends to lead towards the elimination of religious superstition." I don't know about you, but that just turns my stomach. And of course as a homeschool mom, I hear all about how my kids are missing the socialization that is soooo important for them to grow properly. So, while they are being "socialized" which values are they learning? How to be selfish? That being disciplined is bad? That it is okay to be disrespectful of your parents? Or is it that it is normal to have 2 mommys or daddys? Gee, I don't think that we are missing much. I would much rather have them learn the truths of God's Word and morals and ethics at Sunday School or Youth Group or even at home. (they'd better be learning that at home!) I as a parent will have to stand before God one day and explain to Him why we did or didn't do what the world told us to do. I will have to stand in judgement for the part I played in raising my kids and teaching them about Jesus, and honesty, kindness, loving our enemies and our siblings, and all those Golden Rules that really come straight from scriptures. How about ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God? or The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life? Sorry, but Humanism and Socialism don't come anywhere near the goal of this home. Now that I have said all that, yes, I do still have a kid in public school. This mom is just not equipped to handle both kids at once. We would never get through the course work. But, I CAN be aware of what my kid is learning at school and be prepared to explain why our home is different and why we don't believe all the stuff the teacher or book or whoever does. I can instill truths and ethics and morals at home and expect them to be lived at all times (even tho we all fall down) and that God expects better or more of us than the world does. Okay, I'm off the soapbox now. For a while anyway!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rana-

I agree with how you feel. Of course, my two girls are in public schools, and I'll be teaching in one next year (hopefully). It's important for us as Christians to stand up for what we really believe in. One thing I've realized is that there really are more Christians out there than we think. We need to make sure that our kids understand what is right and what is not. Regardless of what they are taught in school, they will tend to remember and believe what they learn at home more than what others teach us.

Rana said...

Thank you for that. It is true that what a kid learns at home stays with him a whole lot longer than what they learn in school. Regardless of what we teach them.