Who am I to tell Christians to stop supporting government education?

RazorMouth ^ | 7/28/02 | Jim Babka

[TomSmedley]

our two oldest kids are both 5 point Calvinists

Obviously you were doing something right! Assuming they continue to grow intellectually in the faith, it is highly unlikely that they'll send their kids to public school ...

[ohioWfan]

Thank you. But I think they will, if at all possible, depending on their situations. They have all said that they believe they are stronger because of being educated in public schools.

And as an additional point, our third child, a son, is right now in Army boot camp, boldly sharing the Gospel with others there. Part of the reason he is so strong is because of his public school experience.

God doesn't lead everyone the same direction in every circumstance, even when it comes to what education is best for your kids. We respect others' choices, based on what God leads them to do. It would be nice if others (who claim to be Christians) would do the same for us.

[meadsjn]

She “shuddered to think of what our public school system, and the children in it, would be if ALL Christian parents pulled their children out.” She went on to point out the wonderful impact Christian kids have in government schools. Then she asked me, “How can my children be salt and light if they are doing their studies at the dining room table and not in a classroom full of kids who may have never heard the gospel?”

How courageous of this woman to send her children into the pits of slime, filth, degeneration, paganism, and downright evil, to carry some vague message to hostile non-recipients. Turning your children over to government schools would be comparable to sending your Jewish grandmother on vacation to the Rhine in 1942.

Children are mostly good people before government mis-education turns them into monsters.

[ohioWfan]

Salvation, the biggest problem with pulling all Christian kids out of public schools is spiritual, not financial. There is no limit to the positive influence solid Christian families can have in their schools, because they have an Omnipotent God with them.

If you have ever talked with one of the (many) Christian teachers in public schools, you know what a joy it is for them to have Christians students who will support them in classroom discussions, and elevate the attitude and behavior of the other kids.

It is not that children are being forced to be 'missionaries,' it is the LOVE and POWER of God, through Jesus Christ that makes the difference, and it would be tragic should that influence be removed.

[ohioWfan]

Children are mostly good people before government mis-education turns them into monsters.

Read your Bible, instead of whatever nasty propaganda you've been reading.

We are all born in sin. There's only been one good child ever born, and it is only through HIS blood and HIS sacrifice that any of us are redeemed.

[mamaduck]

I had already felt ashamed of my original post by reading yours . . .sorry I was hasty . . .I am very afraid, myself of the whole purpose, and results of the public schools. I wish all GOOD people would pull out of them and let them utterly fail, so we could have a fresh start.

That said, without supplementation, I don't know that any person can come out of a public school with more that socialist brainwashing and that doesn't fit anyone for their highest purpose in life.

And even with supplementation, they still are subject to all the subtle brainwashing and the artificial regimentation that is part of the "program" in government schooling.

I *never* argue with a successful parent. :-)

[Marysecretary]

It's very costly for people to send their kids to Christian schools and some don't feel qualified to teach them. It's a quandry for many Christian parents. One family in our church (the husband) defied our pastor one Sunday in church when he talked about getting your kids into Christian school. He felt that his children were salt and light where they were. It's a small school and they probably are. His own mother, who was visiting at the time, stood up and agreed with the pastor and said she didn't think they should have to do battle in public schools. But these five kids are exceptional and they have great parents. The mother has been very effective with mothers of these kids' classmates in being a witness to them. I think you do need to pray diligently. Some may well be salt and light.

[ohioWfan]

I *never* argue with a successful parent. :-)

:o) Thanks!

No argument that there are serious problems with most public schools, but your key word is "supplementation." Give the kids a strong foundation before they start school. Talk about what they're learning every day. Be actively involved in the schools, and get to know the teachers and administrators.

Our school system has a large number of strong Christian teachers, and an overall attitude of support of Christian thought. Our health teachers use Dobson abstinence films, and stress sexual purity. Some of the science teachers believe in creation, and the ones who lean towards evolution allow healthy discussion on the subject. No condoms. No brainwashing. There are schools like that out here. Just not many.

[homeschool mama]

***We are all born in sin. There's only been one good child ever born, and it is only through HIS blood and HIS sacrifice that any of us are redeemed.***

bump

[homeschool mama]

***Our school system has a large number of strong Christian teachers, and an overall attitude of support of Christian thought. Our health teachers use Dobson abstinence films, and stress sexual purity. Some of the science teachers believe in creation, and the ones who lean towards evolution allow healthy discussion on the subject. No condoms. No brainwashing.***

A rare blessing, ohio.

[ohioWfan]

I know far too many parents who also thought that God called their families to the public schools, with NOT QUITE the same outcome. As another poster has said, it's like a crapshoot.

For a Christian who is truly seeking God's will, nothing in life is a 'crapshoot,' especially the spiritual health of your children.

As to whether those other families were called by God to send them to public schools or not, it is impossible to tell whether they misread the message, never really asked, or that the final outcome is yet unknown. Kids from solid Christian homes have free will, and some make bad choices, from which they later repent.

I guarantee you, however, that Christian schools are loaded with rebellious kids too. In fact the stats on pregnacy, drug and alcohol use are pretty much the same there as they are in public schools.

There was no 'crapshoot' involved in our decision........just faith, and thanksgiving that our children have so far in life made good choices.

[ohioWfan]

Indeed, homeschool, indeed.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

We both felt strongly that God was leading us to send our kids to public schools

Sighhhh... I really hate to "beat up" on fellow Calvinists (even an "incomplete" Four-Pointer like yourself, ohioWfan), but Jerry_M says that this thread demands my tender mercies, so, here goes....

GWB and I will be going over to Jerry's house Friday and stealing all his property at gunpoint. But we're not selfish!! This is not for us, it's "for the children". We're going to be pawning Jerry's stuff and giving away the proceeds to the neighborhood kids. You're invited to send your kids over for a cut of the swag "if the Lord leads you" to do so.

It's Free to the Public, come one, come all. "If the Lord leads", of course.

We figure we can cut you in for thirty pieces of silver.

[TomSmedley]

But these five kids are exceptional and they have great parents. ...I think you do need to pray diligently. Some may well be salt and light.

When the odds are four to one against my success, and when there is no other area wherein success matters more to me, then I'll look for other corners to brighten! Call me a coward if you want to, but the stakes are too high and I'm not playing. The game is rigged in favor of the House, and I will not bet that I've got enough under the hood to deprogram my kids day after day for 13 years.

Quick example: ever attend one of those time-share presentations in order to collect the "free" breakfast and/or give-away? You go not intending to buy. The compromise of your conscience, however, is the leverage the presenter uses against you.

Another quick example: people who rely upon government "unemployment insurance" usually find jobs a week or two after the "insurance" runs out. Meanwhile, the party disbursing the money has the whip hand, and you pay for that money with your sense of self-respect, and your confidence that God, not the State, is your provider.

[ohioWfan]

OK, I don't know you, so I have no idea if you're cynical or just trying to be humorous, and I'm missing out on whatever you think is funny.

At any rate, I haven't got a clue as to what you're really trying to say, so do you mind breaking it down into normal conversational style and explain what you mean?

Oh, and before you do, read all my posts, find out a little bit about how our kids have turned out, and then respectfully respond.......even if you do consider me 'incomplete.'

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

OK, I don't know you, so I have no idea if you're cynical or just trying to be humorous, and I'm missing out on whatever you think is funny. At any rate, I haven't got a clue as to what you're really trying to say, so do you mind breaking it down into normal conversational style and explain what you mean?

Okay. Is it Moral for Christians to seek to share in the division of Stolen Property?

Oh, and before you do, read all my posts, find out a little bit about how our kids have turned out, and then respectfully respond.......even if you do consider me 'incomplete.'

I have read all your posts. I'm glad your kids turned out so well.

That does not mean that you made a Moral choice by enrolling them in Public School, it only means that God "worked it for good". But if we said that everything God works for good must be a Morally-correct choice, then we would end up saying that David was Morally-correct to commit Adultery with Bathsheba because God "worked it for good" in the birth of Solomon!!

That's a logical absurdity. An action is either Morally Right or it is Morally Wrong, reagardless of how God "works out" the end result.

Is it Moral for Christians to seek to share in the division of Stolen Property??

[Jerry_M]

Re. 54.

Why can't it be you and me going over to GWB's house to steal his stuff? In other words, why am I the victim? (Oh, never mind, I am the victim everytime the government steals from me "for the children".)

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Why can't it be you and me going over to GWB's house to steal his stuff?

Um... I suspect that GWB is a pretty good shot. So, the choice of example was purely pragmatic on my part. Heh heh. ;-/

[Illbay]

Hard core calvinists, who catechetize their children and see to their getting a Christian education, have a 90% average retention rate.

Kind of a funny statement!

I mean, why does a Calvinist care what kind of education his kid gets? The kid is either "in" or "out," and according to Calvinist teaching there ain't a durn thing you can do to change it one way or t'other!

Also, why do you imply that only "hard-core Calvinists" "catechize" their children (sounds drastic!) and see that they get a "Christian education"?

All in all, a very, very funny statement. Very entertaining.