Posted on 03/07/2006 10:15:55 PM PST by Calugareni
PUBLIC SCHOOLS - GET OUT NOW ! by Gary DeMar
Why do Christians waste time and money in defense of public (government) education? I heard a spirited defense of Americas primary governmental indoctrination centers at a conference I attended this weekend. While Christians try to save their beloved public schools, another generation of young people is seduced by the anti-Christian worldview of public education. This view is not popular with the majority of Christians. Blasting public education in America is akin to blaspheming all that is holy and good. In order to justify the continued support of public education, the following excuses are often given:
We cant afford to send our children to private schools.
If Christians pulled their children out of public schools, voted down every tax increase having anything to do with education, voted to repeal the education portion of the property tax, and voted for candidates who would cut every dollar from education funding, then most families could afford the costs involved. The money spent on trying to save the public schools would go a long way in establishing scholarship funds for children whose parents cannot afford a private-school education. Yes, it may even take some sacrificing on the part of parents. Of course, home-schooling is always an option. Children can help out by working. Drive a fourteen-year-old car like I do. When your children get older, have them work to share the financial load.
Its not the churchs job to educate.
I heard this one just recently. Christian school critics balk at turning over the churchs facilities for educational purposes because the tithe is designed to support the church's work, not the education of children. Thats why we pay taxes. So the church building is vacant six days a week while Christians complain that its too expensive to start a Christian school. The Sunday school classrooms are used for forty-five minutes a week! What a waste of Gods money. So we send our children to public schools where they are indoctrinated for thirty hours a week in the latest non-Christian propaganda. To combat secularized education, Christian school critics develop youth programs for Wednesday and Sunday evenings and lament the fact that parents dont take advantage of them. These kids are getting at most two hours of weekly instruction, while a child in a Christian school receives thirty hours of training from a biblical perspective. Theres no comparison. Most of these youth programs are weak entertainment times with a devotional to give them legitimacy. There are exceptions, but not many.
My child is a witness for Christ in the public schools.
He may be. But I wonder how much witnessing really takes place in public schools. Most of the time children are sitting behind desks listening to a teacher lecture. From the time I entered public school no one ever presented the gospel to me. Its the friendships that are developed after school that lead to witnessing opportunities: the neighborhood, playground, ball field. Witnessing can take place anywhere. Jesus met people at work and in their homes. He even went into the temple. If you want to follow Jesus example, then go witness to Jews in their local temples.
While there are few opportunities to witness in the public schools, students are captive to an anti-Christian worldview for at least six hours every day. This says nothing of the worldview promoted by a childs peers from pagan homes.
Our school is different.
Maybe in degree. My guess is that most parents have no idea whats going on in their childs school. If they dont hear any bad news, they assume that all is well. Keep in mind that public school children are not comparing their education with the public school education that was prominent forty years ago. And it wasnt that great back then. The education students are receiving right now is normal for them. Its the only standard they know, and its not a very good one. Anyway, a school that does not teach from a Christian perspective is at best third-rate.
I want my child to be exposed to the real world.
What is the real world? The real world is where Christ dwells and where His Word is taught. Christianity is not unreal. If it is, then why not worship with pagans since their domain is the real world. Remember, Adam and Eve fell from what was normal, that is, from a world where they were in intimate fellowship with their Creator. A world without Christ is an insane and irrational world. The Christian school is a place of re-creation, a redemptive attempt to get back to the original design. Schools that Christians establish should act as magnets for unbelievers to be brought back to the garden. Christians should be setting the agenda for whats real, honest, and good so as to be a light for those who are in darkness.
Balaams Donkey
I believe God has been giving us a very clear message through the modern-day equivalent of Balaams donkey: the court system. Balaam was called on by Balak to prophesy against Israel. God had warned Balaam to stay away from Moab. Balaam refused. The Angel of the LORD met Balaam on the road as he was going down to meet Balak, the king of Moab. Balaams donkey refused to confront the Angel of the LORD. Balaam struck his donkey three times to force him ahead. Finally, Balaam realized that it was the LORD who was directing him to turn around.
Repeatedly the courts have ruled against Christians and their attempts to bring Christianity back to the classroom. Like Balaam, they refuse to heed the message that God is giving through the Court. God is telling parents to seek a different route.
Prayers at sporting events and around flag poles do not constitute a Christian education. The entire curriculum must be Christ-centered. Saying a prayer at the beginning of the school day does not sanctify the secularization of education that takes place for the next six hours. The prayer ritual only gives unjustified validity to what is inherently corrupt.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gary DeMar is president of American Vision and the author of more than 20 books. His latest is Myths, Lies, and Half Truths.
I don't know about your state, but in Washington State it is in its Constitution. It would take a change to the Constitution to do away with public education.
I'm running for school board next time around. Wait'll they get a load of me.
L
I just heard that there is a lawsuit against LAUSD because 20% of the enriched studies students are white....above the 10% attendance average of all schools in the district.
I admire those who run for this unpaid position. They become a beating post from all sides. Change is hard to get adopted but if no one steps up it will never happen. I wish you the best.
Then it's a complete independent audit of all expenditures made by the entire school system.
Then it's a 'no new taxes' pledge.
And that's just for starters.
L
Something we finally agree on, LG.
Although there are some very valid points on this board about using Church facilities to start private schools. Would voucher funds be available for use this way under current plans?
If so, I'd support it. If not, heck no. We can't afford a nation of ignorant illiterates (just look where we are now).
This is the most assinine statement ever.
The job of parents is to protect and nurture their children - not send them out as "sheep to the slaughter."
If the parent wants to "witness," fine.
But where is the scripture that says we are to send our children out to do battle with the forces of darkness?
Judging \ from \\\ your posts \\ thus far on this forum \\\ you are a fine example of Public School education.
Thanks for illustrating the point.
Absolutely right. And if people have a problem with something in a public school they should get off their bottoms and change it. All things considered, public schools in the US do a great job of educating kids (backed by decent families) that come to them desiring an education. (I am not a teacher but I play one on TV).
And what of the potential schools with Islam as its foundation? That would nab up to 15% in some areas of the country. I honestly don't think that many Christians have the tolerance for these kinds of potential developments even though tolerance was something Jesus of Nazareth taught vehemently.
-If Christians pulled their children out of public schools, voted down every tax increase having anything to do with education, voted to repeal the education portion of the property tax, and voted for candidates who would cut every dollar from education funding, then most families could afford the costs involved.-
Voting down the tax increases is something folks will never learn. The edoocashun sistem is very good at picking what they'll tell parents they'll "have to cut" if they don't get their money. Fees for extra-currikular activities will have to be paid by parents!! Oh no! How will we ever save for our vacation? Heck, when I went to school, your parents paid for all that stuff. Ski club is necessary? Don't think so!
I like the free lunch and after school care...
Problem is is that everyone likes the 'free lunch' and the after retirement care - on someone else's dime, of course.
"Public schools must always be avaailable..."
And I imagine that we shall always pay taxes to fund such schools. However, lower enrollment will mean less money is being thrown at the NEA and THAT will be the big issue.
Amen to that!
In Washington State it is against the Constitution for public employees (teachers) to strike. However, our court will not uphold the Constitution when teachers do go on strike.
Now, all you have to do is to make sure that yours is the only vote that counts on that issue.
My opinion on a subject cannot be wrong, it can differ from yours, but it's not wrong simply because you don't agree with it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.