Schools: Satan's Recruitment Center?
I just finished reading an article that indicates that the Southern Baptist Convention will once again face a debate about whether or not we should remove all of our children from public schools (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=44526). First let me say a few good things about this. It is great that the official resolution includes a praise of Christian teachers in the public schools (see the whole resolution at www.getthekidsout.org) . These teachers should be supported and encouraged. It is also good that these men are concerned about the faith of our youth. I concur that there are serious issues in our public schools that must be addressed. Some of these issues revolve around the treatment of faith in the public arena. I also believe that action must be taken to help Christian young people to take their faith seriously and to find ways to encourage them to not abandon it when they leave home. But, in the end, I find their lack of faith the most disturbing issue.
Now my concerns.
These men are about running from culture instead of trying to reclaim it. Let me make it clear that I do not feel that our children should be used as pawns in a game of spiritual warfare. If there is real spiritual danger for your child in their local school then do not hesitate to remove them, simply be prayerful about this decision and make sure you are not responding to hype. However, I also think that the time, energy and resources being put into trying to remove children from schools could be spent trying to claim these schools for Christ. If Christian parents were to overwhelm the public school system with support, volunteer hours and prayer the impact would be felt by the teachers, administrators and students. If the public schools saw that Christians wanted to help them to overcome some of the struggles they have then it is likely they would be more receptive to the issues that Christians want to address. It is always a shock to us to see what can come of loving others, perhaps we should try this approach with our public schools.
Further, the dogmatic assertion that there is no possible good in public schools and that all Christianity has been driven from them is what causes teachers to fear to share their faith, they think they are alone. This sort of "the sky is falling" drama would be funny if it were not so sad. By saying "WHEREAS, the public school system in America is against Christ in that it seeks to offer a thoroughly secular education" (see the resolution) these men are not allowing for the possibility of Christian influence inside of public schools. Unfortunately this statement speaks louder then their praise for Christian teachers in the school system. Do they consider those teachers traitors to Christ? Unsuspecting fools? Or perhaps naive do-gooders who are fighting a foolish war? By making this bold and exaggerated assertion the authors of this resolution are making it clear that they see no way to reform the public school system. They hold out no hope for the improvement of the lives of those Christian students who can not afford private schools or home schooling, by abandoning those students to this "anti-Christian organization" aren't they contributing to the loss of those young people? Instead would it not be better to find a way to address these concerns that would benefit all Christian students and, perhaps, even the non-Christian ones?
It is funny to me how much influence teachers are credited with in this debate. While it is a given that every teacher does have some level of influence in their student's lives it is still only short lived. You know, I just don't believe that someone you spend four to six hours with a week or 180 days with if you are in elementary school should or can compare to the daily influence and example of your family. The fault here does not lie with the secular alone, indeed it is hard to assign blame, but if you must then why not with those who fail to prepare their children for the influence of the secular and this world. Should we always pass the blame to others? Is it even possible that the influences of daily life could ever overcome true commitment? While it is true that after graduation many "Christian" students walk away from the church and their childhood faith, we must ask if the blame for this rests squarely on the shoulders of the people who teach math, band, P.E., science, history, etc.? NO! To even suggest it in that way sounds foolish. Perhaps the church and families should take a closer look at themselves and ask what they can do to help their children take their faith seriously. Do we model the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study and time with God? Do our students see us live out our faith, making daily decisions based upon the teachings of Jesus and the Bible? If not, how can we better show them the importance of God in our own lives? Perhaps the real battle for our children is not in the public schools but in our churches and our homes.
posted by Adam @ 10:09 AM
5 Comments:
I agree with the arguments that you have stated in this blog. I would especially likt to reiterate some of your points.
1. As a teacher it is my job to teach children how to read,write, and do math; not how to live out their faith. I am a Christian teacher who tries very hard to live my life so that others will see Jesus in me, but I am not responsible for the faith of the students I teach.
2. As a teacher it is hard to do the job that I am required to do when parents are not involved in their child's education. We do need to have Christian parents helping out teachers in any way possible.
While I agree in principle with many of the points you make, Adam, I think a few elements of reality need to be tossed in to this discussion.
When these are considered, the idea of taking your kids out of public schools starts to seem like a very reasonable choice.
1. Schools are used for socialization. This isn't a good or bad thing, simply a truth. We learn a lot about how we are expected to interact with our society in school.
Certain politically active groups realized this some time ago and began active efforts to use schools to indoctrinate rather than educate. Many of these groups are absolutely anti-Christian.
Case in point: The recent sex education curriculum adopted by a school district which states that our denomination's view on homosexuality is archaic and not consistent with Biblical teaching.
This was only stopped because a few parents were a.> paying attention and b.> had the resources to file a law suit. It took a judge to stop this one.
What if the judge had been an activist leftist who thinks religion is the opiate of the masses, as many judges do?
2. Many parents simply don't have the time to be as active as they should be. Sadly, it takes a double income to be able to meet the basic needs of life in many househoulds.
This means that teachers, some of whom have agendas or have had agendas forced on them by politicians who select curriculum, are the adults with the greatest amount of contact with our kids.
Before you say it, I know for many families this is a matter of wanting the good things in life. With a litle sacrifice there would be far more time for kids. And I agree that if you have the time to homeschool your kids you should first try being a classroom parent and spending as much time with your kids as possible.
But for many families if both parents don't work the bills can't be paid.
3. Some kids are stronger willed than others. Adam, you and I are both very stubborn and persistent people. Many kids aren't. This doesn't make them inferior, it means they are from different stock.
Some kids have what it takes to make it in public school and to be the light of the world. Others aren't ready yet. These are children and they mature physically and spiritually at different rates.
Some kids respect authority and believe what teachers tell them. Many times this will be contrary to what Mom and Dad teach at home.
And they will almost certainly get unChristian messages all day long from their classmates.
Some kids will be pursuaded that Mom and Dad are wrong.
4. We live in a part of the country often known as the "Bible Belt," where we enjoy a large percentage of teachers and school board members who are Christians. In many other parts of the country Christians are viewed almost as the enemy.
These are just a few of the realities of public schools. I don't think the entire denomination should yank their chlidren out of schools and raise them at home. I've met some homeschooled kids who do well and I've met many others with underdeveloped social skills. Usually the ones that do better have large families with plenty of brothers and sisters with which to interact.
But I think the men behind this resolution have some very legitimate concerns about our public school system and who is trying to get a foothold in the minds of our kids when parents aren't around.
I'm not a parent, but I already have serious misgivings about sending my kids to public school.
Some of what you say has merit but I want to go point by point so:
1. One of the by-products of public education is socialization granted. However this does not mean that Christians can not influence the form that socialization takes. I believe I expressed clearly my desire for more Christian involvement in the public school system but let me add that those who can not be actively in the school should support those who can, including Christian teachers. Also let us never forget that every Christian can spare some of there prayer time to mention schools and lift up the Christians in them, if not maybe we should ask why a 5 minute prayer request is to taxing.
2. Here you are, um, right. Many families can not volunteer during school hours. This does not however exempt those who can (thank you for pointing out time for home schooling means time to volunteer before withdrawing the kids). But I think that can can still be involvement in the PTA and even just a few minutes reading the local paper will indicate if there is an issue that will require more involvement.
3. Strong willed? Sir, you must be confusing me with Elliot. In my defense I did acknowledge that the parent should remove the child if the spiritual danger is such that they can not handle the circumstances, children should always be protected! But most schools are too busy trying to pass No Child Left Behind to indoctrinate (if you were a teacher you would have clapped there!).
4. You have me here as well, I can not speak with authority on other states. Let me add that I have known homeschoolers that have been good kids, but that does not mean that it is the solution for everyone.
You admitted I was right. Odd stellar alignment tonight?
A few of these points will blend together so bear with me.
1. I agree we as Christians can use public schools to establish the basic values conveyed by Christianity as part of our culture. I think this was part of the original thinking in establishing public school systems; to instill certain common social values in kids.
But in many places the people who determine what type of socialization is performed in schools are decidedly anti-Christian.
This means a parent faces a very serious decision. By sending your child into such an environment you are doing so with the full knowledge your child will engage in battle with those who are directly opposed to what you have taught them.
You must be prepared to subject your child to conflict, because it will come. You should also be willing to become embroiled in a political fight to back your child up when such conflict comes.
That is not a decision that should be made lightly. This is like in warfare where you decide if engaging the enemy is worth the possible loss to your own forces. And these are children, not aircraft carriers.
Even if your child stands up and hold their ground, there will be emotional and social consequences.
As a parent are you willing to subject your child to those conditions and consequences?
Prayer is powerful, but so is a child who comes home in tears because she is the only virgin on the high school cheerleading squad and the other girls are tormenting her. Or worse, what if she caves under the pressure?
Sometimes the only way to defeat an enemy is to deny it battle. The wise general knows when and when not to give battle.
Some children are ready to be lights to the world, and can go into that environment and be a positive tool for Christ. Others just aren't ready.
There are some very valid reasons for not sending your Christian child to public schools
2. When was the last time an education reporter for one of your local papers read through the proposed new curriculum. Most only cover it when a controversy has already started. A lot of this stuff can be slid in quietly and blends in with all the other stuff kids are being taught.
And I hate to break it to you, but one of those institutions that have been taken over by politically active anti-Christian elements IS the PTA.
The before mentioned pro-homosexual curriculum was put together by an advisory committee of community members. The politically active are the ones who serve on such committees.
I agree with you fully we need more politically active people fighting for moral virtue and Christian values which are the pillars of our civilization.
But until we take back those institutions you are gambling on success with your children as bets.
I agree that pulling all children out of public schools goes too far, but increasing the support in the denomination for home schooling and private schooling I think is a good thing.
For many children being removed from a public school environment is one of the best things that a parent can do for the child's Christian development.
TWO TANGENTS
1. As a political scientist, I must wonder how many of the 88 percent of children we lose after they graduate high school come back after they have children.
I believe that is the trend among church goers. We fall away in college and return after the birth of the first child.
2. I still maintain that a few of my teachers in high school were in league with Satan. (If you were a high school student you would have clapped there.)
okay,
1) I agree, it is just that there is not always a war front at your local school. I agree children are not aircraft carriers (it would seem hard not to) and should not, therefore, be viewed as tools of a war we wish to fight. All I am suggesting is that we be realistic and prayerful in our assumptions about the local ISD before claimed that Satan is on the school board. Perhaps that would be a good place to start, Christians on the school board who can make positive decisions for our children.
2)Seems like there is a great need for Christian parents (and maybe just all Christians) to get involved in their local schools. If Christians are volunteering and participating in the school they will make inroads for Christ. The best part of this plan is that they do not even need to risk their children to be involved. Perhaps they can volunteer to read, make copies or watch the lunchroom. The important thing is that they model a Christ-like love while they are there.
As for your other thoughts, on the first one I do not know the statistics but I have heard that before, and as for number two. Well, you are back in your home town Thomas, maybe you should volunteer at the schools and let some of the kids see you model God's love in the face of those teachers. :)
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