I don't have time to reply to the whole thing but:
"I do think it's a major ducking of responsibilities to try to foist those responsibilities off on public school teachers."
0) My argument was that this can be held for math, and other things. There is an attempt, phony one IMHO, to put matters of faith, character and ethics on a different plane.
Of course you want a qualified teacher, but it's absurd to argue that only a parent is qualified to teach such matters, when Religious Education goes on all the time in settings other than public schools.
"like the idea of children being taught in private schools. "However, if the parents aren't Christian, they probably don't want to send their children to Christian schools. Are you against, Hebrew schools, for instance? (You haven't said that you are - I'm just asking)."
1) Yes, plenty of nonChristians send their kids to Christian schools. In the Christian school our children attended, some of the families were Asian buddhists. We were catholics, although this was not a Catholic school. Conversely, the parochial schools in many inner cities are consistly of a large number of non-catholics.
"And - here's a radical idea: we (parents and the extended faith community) teach our children our religion ourselves ..."
3) If the extended faith community is included, I didn't say otherwise, except 'ourselves' is not just the parents or you reach illogical conclusions. People of faith need to teach of the faith ... now, try getting a pastor or a lay Religious Education teacher into an elementary school for after school bible study in your local public school ... Just try, and tell us how it goes.
2) It's almost absurd to ask if I'm 'against Hebrew schools'... I am for school choice and if Jewish parents choose a school to teach the Jewish faith, fine.
As I said...
The objection that Christianity and Christian ethics cant or shouldnt be taught is contradicted by the direct experience of millions of chidlren well-educated in private Christian schools today, and millions more who did just fine in public schools at it prior to 1963.
Claims that it can't be woven into even a public school education are false claims. It can be, in a number of ways that meet constitutional bars and other objections or dangers.
2) It's almost absurd to ask if I'm 'against Hebrew schools'... I am for school choice and if Jewish parents choose a school to teach the Jewish faith, fine.
Well then, what the heck are you recommending that we teach in public schools? That is the issue. Not what is taught at home or in religious schools or in churchs or temples. What do you teach when you have a population that include non-Christians, and is supported by the tax dollars of Christians and non-Christians alike? What are you saying in real-life practical terms? And don't give me the "Christian nation" thing. Of course most of the founders were Christian. What the heck does that have to do with this issue?