An incredible amount of interest and controversy has arisen in the wake of the judge’s decision regarding homeschooling in California. And, it’s not surprising that the education system is watching this matter probably as closely as parents who home educate their children in that state and elsewhere. There’s a great deal at stake here in our nation, because, as many have stated and I have also written many times, as California goes: so goes the nation. And parents across the nation are concerned about the ramifications of this ‘ruling’ in California because of the assault on ‘freedom’ and on the home. Many public school educators believe their role as public-school teachers is paramount to the success of society – even though what’s being taught is often immoral, anti-family and ungodly. We, as homeschoolers, believe that it’s not public education, but home and family, that has the preeminent role in the success and future of society. We have come to see that, in general, it is public education that has brought the demise of the home and ultimately and profoundly, society.
As in a previous post, I know am taking a huge risk here, stating the belief that much of the demise or degradation of our society is a result of the humanistic public education system. It is based, in part, on that premise that we will never send our children to government schools — to do so would be counter to faith, counter to Scripture and the mandate of the Lord to Christian fathers and mothers to train up their children in the way they should go. I cannot even post here some of the links to articles I have read recently regarding what’s being taught in government schools, what’s on some reading lists, what’s in some curriculum and in some libraries in grade schools, and what many teachers are teaching in classes in the states.
Acts 5.24-42
“24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chirf priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said,
We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
No, no! Brownies are just rude.”
Truly, one of the most surprising and endearing gifts I ever received was a bouquet that Samuel brought me from our front yard. Now, the other children had been bringing me flowers from the yard, one from the neighbour’s yard and some from a home down the street. Well, we had to take care of the instruction and training on issues of ownership, theft and trespassing — even with best intentions, those last two things were clearly wrong. Even if the neighbours had better flowers, you know, my most favourite flowers or even the most beautiful flowers in the world and I ought to have them as presents.
I wonder this. I ponder this question: Will there be gentlemen? Will there be gentlemen who guard their behaviour, guard their conversations and the words they choose to use in mixed company or not, men who will refrain from crude or vulgar speech or innuendo?