Many people make comments about homeschooling being for religious fanatics. They say that homeschoolers are trying to isolate their kids to teach them Christian view-point and creationism solely. My response is generally that I know many homeschoolers that are not Christian, not to mention religious fanatics. However, there is so much more that I would like to say.
While it is a fact that my reason for homeschooling has absolutely nothing to do with my Christianity, I quickly realized the treasures that homeschooling held. My kids can study their religion freely. My children do not have to feel uncomfortable expressing their faith. My children will not be bombarded with subject matter contrary to their faith before they are prepared to handle it.
Today I read an article by technology and politics author, journalist, blogger Russell Shaw. He feels that homeschooling should be outlawed with a few exceptions:
Where the child is in physical danger in their public school, when the child is physically immobile, where the family lives in a remote geographical area. In these cases- and when a parent professionally trained as a qualified educator is available- sure, home schooling would be OK.
It is a good thing that he has not control over the legality of homeschooling isn’t it?
Why does he feel so strongly against homeschooling? His reasons include over protectiveness, and social issues. The reason that really seems to get Mr. Shaw up in arms is because
I’m troubled by the fact that a significant percentage of home schooling parents choose this option because of an overriding feeling that they want their children to pursue curricula from theology or received wisdom rather than a scientific perspective.
OK. You will want to stop here and refer back to the first paragraph. While many homeschoolers are Christians, the numbers on the percentage of Conservative Christian homeschoolers are greatly exaggerated. But for those of us who do enjoy the benefits of being able to shape our children’s views on spirituality because we homeschool, then yea for us.
Now I cannot speak for every Conservative Christian Homeschooler, but I can speak for myself. While I do believe it is my duty to teach my child Christianity first, and foremost, I also believe it is my duty to teach my child all scientific theories as well as all other religious theologies. I will talk more about this in my next post. Meanwhile, I just want to leave you with one little thought: Obviously Mr. Shaw’s years in public education served him well. And I quote,
Obviusly there were and are political reasons for this.
His editor must have taken the day off.
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