09 January 2008

Whose Child is it, Anyway?

http://www.hslda.org/docs/link.asp?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eworldnetdaily%2Ecom%2Fnews%2Farticle%2Easp%3FARTICLE%5FID%3D59536

Parents race to escape Germany before the state takes custody of their children for the crime of homeschooling them. I know we've had "discussions" on the board with social workers and other visitors who seem to feel that due process and REAL CHARGES are unnecessary before "investigating," nosing around or stealing children. Let me tell you that this is exactly where it's going to lead, even here in America, if we don't stand up to such bullies.

My child, my right to decide. How difficult is that for people to see?

You don't have to like it. I might not like your teaching evolutionary theory as gospel, or your Buddhist beliefs, or your gay agenda when you tell YOUR child what the world is all about. But it's none of my business, or that of the court, to intervene. And I don't think state-mandated tests are fair "to check progress." How would YOU like for me to mandate your child take a test to see how well he can read the Book of Revelation or the Ten Commandments? How about for tenth-grade science, we make sure he understands the concept the seven days of creation, and what happened on each day? This is the sort of thing that happens when the "majority" opinion dictates what our children hear each day. You might not like that I am not preparing my children for a "multicultural" world with diverse opinions on many issues, and that we (gasp!) don't mention Martin Luther King Jr. at all in our studies. Too bad!

I think despite our opinions on what is taught to homeschoolers and how it's done, we should be very supportive of these families in Germany. I'm glad to be a dues-paying member of the HSLDA knowing that my money is spent defending homeschoolers around the world.

4 comments:

  1. We're studying US history right now and MLK, jr. Have you read his "I have a dream" speech? It's amazing. He was a talented writer and speaker. I haven't heard a speech so eliquently writen since the Gettysburg address. (Not that they aren't out there, I just haven't read them.) We've never studied this area before and we're loving it. The civil rights area is amazing. I didn't live through it, although my husband did, and I don't remember studying it in public school. What I remember about US history from high school is that we studied from the Civil War to modern times in the last month of school. We watched a movie for WWII. Isn't that sad? Anyway, all this to say, google MLK, jr's speech. It made me cry. You don't have to teach it to your kids. I whole heartidly agree that "my kids, my way, your kids your way," but check it out for yourself. It's really moving. Have a great week.
    Blessings,
    J

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  2. To be frank, I knew very little about homeschooling before we came to the States. I thought it was mainly for people who lived in the middle of nowhere. It's only in the last few years that I've begun to appreciate that it's all about choice.
    Best wishes

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  3. Well said, I agree fully. What I do with my kids is my business and none of anyone elses.

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  4. I don't know, J, every time that fellow seems to be mentioned, it's in connection with a scholarship for a black (ONLY) student, or on his birthday, everyone is running around talking about how the white people aren't doing enough and we need affirmative action LOL!

    Though I can agree that we should be judged by the content of our character and not our skin colour. I can't say I disagree with the speech if he really meant it *exactly* as he spoke it.

    It almost seems that MLK is some sort of demi-god that no one can say anything bad about. It kinda scares me.

    For now, we're not focusing on modern history... but then again, my children are 7 and 6 years old. It WILL have to be covered eventually, but will probably include primary sources who remember that everywhere MLK Jr. went that riots seemed to break out.

    Just saying.

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Non-troll comments always welcome! :)

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