Posted on 07/05/2009 7:36:02 AM PDT by wintertime
A slew of research shows that America is losing the conservative Christian youth in massive droves. These studies show a generation being increasingly won over to a socialistic/secular-humanistic worldview in spite of the American church increasing their apologetic courses, children's programs, youth rallies and books and sermon series on child training.
What is happening? Could it be that we are doing something wrong? I would make the case that we are blatantly sinning in sending our kids to places that are, in fact, causing them to fall away. Let me lay out the case in three simple points.
( SNIP)
2. Is there any convincing evidence that a secular-humanistic public education is causing kids to stumble and fall away from the church?
* 88 percent of the children raised in evangelical homes leave church at the age of 18;
* 83 percent of children from committed Christian families attending public schools adopt a Marxist-socialist worldview;
* Mounting evidence that the public schools are successfully converting covenant children to secular humanism;
* Nehemiah Institute's graph showing the shocking result of a 20-year study on approximately 60,000 youth in 50 states from churchgoing families.
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
Exactly.
Yes, our Founding Father supported the idea of an educated population but they would be appalled at our socialistic government monstrosity of an education system that we have today.
If our Founding Fathers could have seen a modern government K-12 school, they would have included freedom from all forms of government education in the First Amendment.
I should also state that progressives did have trouble infiltrating the country schools and those with solid Christian teachers in America (not so in Europe cuz they didn’t have the strong individualism/Christian background) ....the real force of the progressive education hit around Kinsey’s time when the pedophile Kinsey’s attitudes and the twisted Freud’s were immersed in all the texts even at Catholic schools. That was in the 50’s and of course resulted in the sexual revolution in the 60’s.
But why should any religious views be injected in a public school? Whose religious view should be acceptable? I don’t buy into that.
My kids can got their dose of religion from home and church. They carry it with them, they don’t need to be indoctrinated in a public school. If I thought they needed more religious education I would have sent them to a religious school.
We are a pluralistic society, many faiths and flavors of these faiths. Nearly all my kids public school friends were going to church/synagogue when they were young. We were just all going to DIFFERENT places.
Same with non-sectarian organizations like scouting. Each year a different church or synagogue sponsors the scout sabboth; it is always inspirational.
And our schools were not scared to celebrate religious belief; there were many nods to different faiths in holiday programs and lessons. The chorale sang religious songs from many faiths, not just the holiday/winter/snow songs, but religious songs. Is that unusual for a public school? We are a suburban NY school district just outside of NYC.
Agree.
Socialist monopolies can not be fixed!
Especially when the Socialists are left to their own devices and their control of the monopoly is not challenged.
The solution is for conservatives to form private education foundations.
That's not a good long term solution. It leaves the school system under it's current control thereby continuing the damage to the populace as a whole and to the conservative cause.
As a long term solution it does demonstrate the conservative tendency to leave the field to the opposition. School boards are elected, if not everywhere at least some places. School levies are put to the vote, if not everywhere at least some places. Conservatives need to make an effort to take the school systems back and change them. That should be done in conjunction with home schooling and private schooling.
Of course that will take time just like it took time for the schools to get to their present condidtion. And of course "taking time" is in conflict with the desire of too many conservatives to have it their way, all or nothing, right now.
It’s a weird question, but I’ll answer. It all depends on the school. In our case, we have an exceptional charter school (academic ranking is around third in the state depending on the year). It is a public school, so is it a sin to have exceptional academic values in your public school?
The school curriculum is based on a set of “Core Values” (which are “suspiciously” close to a set of Christian ethics”. Is it sinful to send your child to such a public school?
The point here is that things can be done correctly in a public school, but you have to raise Hell and buck the educational system to do it. Is it worth the trouble? Of course, but the parents have to do it. You can’t rely on the “state” to do it for you. You have to get off your butt and do it yourself. It’s worth it, for your kids.
Did I mention that it’s done at about 2/3’s the cost of what it costs for a conventional school student?
Significant results.
I know of Christians, genuine Christians, that have lefts Christian schools and they are infiltrating the public schools and ready for this? MAKING A DEFFERENCE. I admit, this is rare. My hope is that it catches on.
Who'd believe at a PUBLIC school, the principal would notice a group around the flag pole. Not knowing what they were doing he walked over. They told him. He immediately asked if he could lead the prayer on National Payer Day. If more of this could happen ... .
Government schools are **never** religiously neutral. Why?
Answer: Because it is **impossible** to have a religiously neutral education.
At the moment our government schools are establishing secular atheism.
I am NOT suggesting that government schools adopt a religious worldview. GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS MUST BE ABOLISHED! ( Yes, I am shouting)
Government schools must be abolished because they can **never** be made religiously neutral. They must either adopt a godless or a God-centered worldview. Regardless of which is chosen government schools will **establish** the religious worldview of some groups and crush that of others. Both worldviews have profoundly non-neutral political, cultural, and religious consequences for the society.
We must CLOSE government K-12 schools and establish private alternatives for all the children in the U.S.
MUCH falls of the BLAMCE falls on the PARENTS.
They're too busy and don't seem to care about what their kids are learning, who they are hanging out with and not going to church or youth groups. Yes, if you neglect any kid, they will most likely fail. What concerns me more is that evenif you dump the kids off at youth group and Sunday school, that doesn't mean they will become "Christians". You must get to their heart and that reuires INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION - not group stuff. To accept Him is an INDIVIDUAL decision.
Okay but where are the PARENTS?
What have they been TEACHING THEIR KIDS?
I am not a public school defender by any means but PARENTS are too often MIA. It is the PARENTS kids look to most while growing up.
It is a good solution both in the long term and short term.
Government schools need three things to survive: students, money, and votes.
Just look at the long waiting lists for vouchers, or charter schools. Look at the sacrifices parents make to move to good neighborhoods. It is self-evident that the parents of this nation are desperate for alternatives to the government schools.
By forming conservative tuition-free one room school houses, we take the students, money, and votes away from the government schools.
Look at the political clout that homeschoolers have and they are a mere 1.5 million students ( 3 million part-time homeschoolers). If conservatives can get the children out of the government schools and politically organize the parents, friends, neighbors, and taxpayers this is enough to SHUT down completely the government schools in this nation.
The only good government school is an empty one with a “For Sale” sign posted out front.
Well, you've bought into the first lie -- the lie that no religious views are offered in public schools. (They are. Frequently.) I mean, even the perspective that God is an unmentionable in public school is indeed a "religious perspective."
Whose religious view should be acceptable? I don’t buy into that.
Half-truth #1: You've basically succumbed already -- the "religious view" that is currently acceptable is whatever the government, whatever the principal, whatever the school board, and whatever the teachers/curricula dictates. In other words, there already exists "religious views" in any given school deemed "acceptable" and "unacceptable." I mean, try giving a speech or valedictorian address that mentions "God" -- and see if the school's "religious views" finally become more readily apparent to you.
My kids can got their dose of religion from home and church. They carry it with them, they don’t need to be indoctrinated in a public school.
Another point of deception...public schools already engage in indoctrination...There is no God -- 'cause we don't mention Him...There is no revelation 'cause we never reference "inalieble truths"...etc.
Oh, and for "dosages of religion" -- as if it was an innoculation shot...I can see a TV report of Jesus 2000 years ago...the news camera focuses on Jesus with his disciples: "As your rabboni (teacher), we started off the first month meeting 24/7 with you. But from now on, I'm just going to give you innoculation shots each Sabbath morning and a few follow-ups at night during the week. So, I'm suspending our three-year 24/7 campaign in favor of dosages."
Regardless of how many prayers around the flag pole there are, inside the government school the students will be fed a bowl of godless potage. ( Remember the story of Esau?)
Parents who send their children into schools where they taught to view everything from a godless perspective are selling their children's Christian birthright for a bowl of potage!
Very cute! :-)
Religious upbringing should come from the parents, not the school.
However, that does not mean religious classes should not be taught because religion has played a great part throughout history and our own country and it is an important value system and ideal. But in this type class, religious teaching should be inclusive so as not to be intolerant of any one religion or philosophy. I firmly believe that giving people all the knowledge of various religions (in a reasonable and objective manner) that have come down to us through history, then we are much better as adults to form opinions about our own value system and philosophy.
If Christians don't have faith in God, they will have your attitude. Think about the mustard seed. It is happening in one school district. The guy heading the school district used to be a principal at the Christian school my daughter attends.
Regardless of how many prayers around the flag pole there are, inside the government school the students will be fed a bowl of godless potage. ( Remember the story of Esau?)
Yes, I do. I am also familiar with Moses and Isaac, are you? It is you that has little faith. YOU have given up! Your faith is weak.
Parents who send their children into schools where they taught to view everything from a godless perspective are selling their children's Christian birthright for a bowl of potage!
It is PARENTS that keep up with their kids that combat the nonsense and stand up. YOu’ve given up. You see a glass half empty. The GOP sees it this way too and why we are becoming Demoncrats.
I have my daughter in a “Christian” school. It used to be conservative but it is veering to the left. We follow what she does. We fill her head with godly principles and good books. She’s in John Hopkins Talented and Gifted program. The top 5% of kids in the U.S. and internationally are in it. She uses them for math. Their science is ungodly.
Yes, she will be exposed to the ungodly but I yes *I* the PARENT will supplement and give her the other side that agrees with her faith. It is OUR RESPONSIBILITY to do this. We ACCEPT that responsibility. We sacrifice to do this. I don't work. We do with less. I don't mind. She is the most valuable asset we will leave behind. Other parents have NO CLUE on what their kids are being taught or what they are doing. They don't care. They are chasing the $$$$ and showering them with material things and not making them WORK or be RESPONSIBLE.
You need an attitude adjustment. There are other parents like us. We socialize with like minded parents. They are out there. It takes effort to find them. Again, MOST parents don't take the time.
Centralized Federal education is unconstitutional. McGuffey readers (1913) all were infused with the love of all God’s creatures and taught history in positive light for America. History was taught with the paradigm that God created us and we were unique and special and exceptional and that we were to live by His laws—moral absolutes.
Progressives hated the Constitution’s separated powers and thought of it as living document (can be changed—no absolutes)....they hated absolutes (prevented progress—esp. religion) and wanted moral relativism. That is what we have now.
I see you have fallen for the government school lie!
ALL schools teach religion. ALL of them! This includes government schools, too. Why? Answer: Because it is impossible to have a religiously neutral education. IMPOSSIBLE!
There are only two possible worldviews, and **all** schools must choose one or the other. They are: godless and God-centered. BOTH have profoundly **non-neutral** religious consequences and content.
As for intolerance: You stated, “But in this type class, religious teaching should be inclusive so as not to be intolerant of any one religion or philosophy.”
Where did you learn this drivel? In your religiously non-neutral government school?
Just to give you an few examples:
**Is ripping the hearts out of the chest of living victims to be tolerated??? Huh?
** Are clitorectomies OK?
** Is it OK to teach little children to blow themselves up so they can have 70 virgins in the afterlife?
** Imprisoning women in black burqas OK, and behind walls OK
** Drinking cyanide laced Kool Aid is to be tolerated?
click here to download pdf tract version of this document
by E. Ray Moore, Jr., Chaplain (Lt. Col.) USAR Ret.
from _St. Louis MetroVoice_, July 2004
One of the foremost criticisms from Christians who oppose the Exodus Mandate's agenda of encouraging Christian parents to remove their children from the public education system is, “Christian children should not be taken out of public schools because they are serving as ‘salt and light’ to their classmates and carrying out the Great Commission.” (See Matt. 5:13-14 and Matt. 28:18-20)
It goes without saying that ALL Christians have a responsibility to be “salt and light” and help fulfill the Great Commission as commanded by our Lord. However, the salt and light theological argument is being grossly misapplied to children at the K though 12 level.
The fact is children at the K-12 levels are not mature enough nor are they properly equipped apologetically to exist in a _humanistic religious environment_ that is hostile and contrary to their Christian faith. Some may question the validity of calling public education a “humanistic religious environment,” but according to Joe R. Burnett, the editor of _The Humanist_ Magazine in 1961, “Public education is the parochial education for scientific humanism.”
The fact is ALL EDUCATION IS RELIGIOUS. There is no such thing as neutrality in education and the public education system has been _officially_ godless and humanistic in both design and practice for a long, long time.
If you question these facts, then I suggest you consult the dozen U.S. Supreme Court cases since the _Everson_ case in 1947 that have expelled Christian doctrine, practice and now, moral behavior, from our public schools. If that's not enough to convince you that what I am saying is the truth, then take a look at the curriculum in your local government school. Even the most cursory review should be enough to prove that public education is decidedly anti-Christian and designed to “indoctrinate” as opposed to truly “educate” children. Add the fact that the great majority of public school educators are non-Christians who bring their anti-Christian bias to the classroom and what you have is an environment that is not only anti-Christian, academically counterproductive and morally bankrupt, but sometimes even physically unsafe for a child of God.
Any semblance of a Christian worldview which parents have instilled in their children at home is under constant attack every hour their child sits in a public school classroom. And, whether they realize it or not, the same goes for teachers and administrators who are Christians in the public education system whose witness is suppressed as well as their Constitutional right of free speech.
Christian parents are _commanded_ to place their children under godly and Christian teaching, not neo-pagan or humanistic instruction. Like it or not, there are only two choices — obedience or disobedience to God's commands. (See Col. 2:8; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Deut. 6:1-9; Mal. 4:6; 2 Cor. 6:14-19 along with Luke 6:40. Matt. 22:37-38 and Eph. 6:4)
Kindergarten through grade 12 education, either by Christian home schooling or through a solid, biblically based Christian day school, conforms to the overall responsibility for Christian families to engage in biblical parenting. Placing a child in a public school does not!
|| Children Missionaries? ||
The same basic justification for Christian parents keeping their children in the pubic education system is made using the Great Commission. (See Matt. 28:18-20) The thrust of this argument is that Christian children at K-12 levels are or can be missionaries in public schools.
Christian adults bear this responsibility, not their children. Nowhere in the Old or New Testament is it remotely suggested that Jews or Christians are permitted to have their children educated in a pagan institution. In fact, the Bible is quite clear that children require nurturing, training, and, yes, even being “set apart for a season.” In other words, childhood is a time of discipling.
Being a missionary is not kids play — it's adult work and certainly not for children who are not yet prepared or trained apologetically to defend their faith and beliefs. Christian parents who send their children as surrogate evangelists to public schools may sincerely believe they are doing the right thing and I certainly don't believe they are willfully or consciously being disobedient to God. Rather, I believe they are doing so for any one of a number of misguided reasons. It could be a case of not taking the time to really investigate what the Scriptures have to say regarding their responsibilities to protect their children; they're unaware of the facts regarding public education as mentioned previously above; they haven't taken a long hard look at the potential consequences of their actions or perhaps they're following the advise of someone or some misguided program. Regardless of the reason, the fact remains that they are either being deceived or deceiving themselves if they believe their children can be successful as missionaries in the public education system. It is only by the grace of God that in some cases He protects their children from harm.
|| Who's Converting Whom ||
The reality of the situation is that very little Christian witnessing is ever done by children in public schools to begin with. As with everything else in life, there are of course some exceptions to the rule.
Without question, the lion's share of converting and witnessing is accomplished through the public education curriculum, peer pressure from other children — most of whom are non-Christian — and educators who implant (either subtly or obviously and conscientiously or unconscientiously) their humanistic, neo-pagan or new age doctrines within the minds and hearts of Christian children. These children, I might add, are a captive audience with little or no chance to speak up or opportunity to rebut their teachers.
The research data on the success of the public schools in indoctrinating Christian youth with humanistic or neo-pagan worldviews is overwhelming. The Nehemiah Institute’s worldview PEERS test shows that 83-percent of the children from committed Christian families in public schools adopt a secular humanist or Marxist socialist worldview. At the SBC’s 2002 annual meeting, the Southern Baptist Council on Family Life reported, among other disturbing things, that 88-percent of the children raised in evangelical homes leave church at age 18. Barna Research reports that only 9-percent of born-again teens believe in moral absolutes, and more than half believe that Jesus sinned while He was on earth. We believe the fact that 80-percent of Christian families send their children to public schools is a prime reason for this lost legacy.
|| Conclusion ||
For 2,000 years, the Christian Church has based all its preaching, teaching and educational enterprises such as Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, AWANA, seminary education, higher education, pulpit ministry and Bible studies on text like Matt. 28:20 where Jesus says “Teaching them..” This text along with many others is the basis for all Church educational and teaching programs.
Very simply we want to put K-12 education BACK INTO THE GREAT COMMISSION. We believe Jesus assigned the teaching or the education mandate to the family and Church, not to the state or government. The state or government has usurped the role of the family and Church in running K-12 public schools. We don't want government offering the sacraments or ordinances of the Church, preaching the Gospel, taking over the pastoral role, and we don't want them teaching children at the K through12 levels either. The state shouldn't run our Sunday Schools and neither should they run our Monday through Friday day schools.
Our case is as much religious and theological as educational and academic. In Christian theology it is improper to compartmentalize or separate areas of knowledge or disciplines such as teaching and education from the anchor or foundation of God's Holy Word.
The above article appeared in the July 2004 issue of the _St. Louis MetroVoice_ - St. Louis’ Christian News and Events Publication. The MetroVoice is a non-denominationally and non-politically aligned monthly newspaper that serves the greater St. Louis Missouri metro area and outlying communities which approaches everything from a Christian worldview perspective. For more information regarding the _St. Louis MetroVoice_ visit their web site at www.metrovoice.net or call 314-965-5757.
“........MOST parents don’t take the time. “
Bingo! On the mark.
You have summed it up nicely. MOST parents are lazy, and uneducated themselves. Does anyone expect different results than what we have with such a situation?
Sometimes I think it’s unfair to blame the parent, but in this case it is quite appropriate.
to read later
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