Care to share what you think are the shortfalls of “Fundamentalist Christian” schooling?
And how those compare with the Catholic church schools and their teaching of the traditions of fallible men as Gospel Truths are no less harmful?
They rely on us trusting the credibility of this poster, which goes down with each post like this that occurs.
If the original poster doesn't care—neither should we.
Care to share what you think are the shortfalls of “Fundamentalist Christian” schooling?
My example from when I was a kid: I remember a discussion about the King James Bible. I am not embellishing when I say that I was told “we use the King James version because that was the original language of Jesus. I found myself surrounded by geniuses like that in the 80’s.
Stifling. Dualistic. Anti-creativity and individuality. Afraid of debate and nuance.
Stifling:
Truths are packaged, simplified into platitudes, and spoon fed. Bible verses are memorized, but not wrestled with. The curriculum lacks emphasis on things like church history — which at my Catholic girls’ school was required Freshman year and helped build appreciation for scope of Christianity that goes beyond American culture or one’s “personal testimony.”
Dualistic:
Too much of a divide between what is secular and what is spiritual. What if God doesn’t want you to only be good at a “Christian version” of something? If you are a songwriter; be an objectively good and skilled songwriter, not just a “Christian” songwriter.
Anti-creative, Anti-individuality.
This shouldn’t be generalized as I don’t think it applies to ALL Christian schools. But there can be a sort of unspoken conformity of expectation for what one should aspire to in life — what fields or paths God approves of? And in Evangelical contexts: it usually boils down to two things: Missionary work at least once, and then marriage. There can also be narrow understanding of “ministry” confined to the local church and separate from greater culture — kind of going back to the dualistic thing…This though I believe is changing…
- (Note: the EXTREME backlash and reaction to this can be things like..not just tatoos and piercings everywhere later in life (which I’m not saying is inherently wrong) but: gender dysphoria…Boys, girls whose personalities and predilections don’t fit established “norms” may seek to claim their identity in really toxic ways. “Boy thinks: I’m sensitive and artsy? Maybe I’m a girl.) 🫤
- Catholics including homeschoolers are increasingly embracing a curriculum called “Theology of the Body” which communicates sexuality, gender, biology, in a way that is sacred, holistic…not oversimplified and reactionary.
Afraid of debate and nuance:
You see this on FR all the time with “End Times” discussions. People put God in a box and equate any challenge to fixed opinions as anathema. And fundamentalist Christianity inhibits the ability to hold space for: 1) Mystery 2) Tension. There ARE grey areas in life and that’s OK. Our world is fallen. There will always be tension between the visible and invisible. And as Christians we are called to be in the world and not of it. So we don’t have to have all the answers.
Finally: And I saw this somewhere. The reason why the New Age has taken such a grip on lapsed Christians is because Satan was able to hijack the concept of Love. Any true Christ centered education would build the ethos of its students on LOVE not legalism, or moral perfection. Love is what covers a multitude of sins. And thar means Love for God, love for people and creation beyond the confines of religion, love for the lost, the broken, needy. Love, not rules is a stronger and lasting foundation for faith.
I’ve been Catholic my entire life and I’ve never heard of anything like you claim. The Bible, compiled by the Catholic Church including the Gospels, teach no such thing. The Church teaches no such thing. Take care. Hope that helps.