| The original post went well beyond simply God in school issues. I must wonder if those who found offense with Chuck's post read the entire thing, as this whole thread has dribbled down to a squabble over religion in school.
Yes, it may be presented as a tool of rhetoric aimed at establishing a conservative christian agenda, but regardless of how one wishes to interpret the meaning, the message is still clear (and no less valid): Our children have grown increasingly uncivil, undisciplined, and immoral because we've removed all the tools that enable us to teach them morality and civility.
Now, of course I still believe it to be the responsibility of the parent, not the educator, to be the primary provider of moral instruction and leadership to the child; but I this does not eliminate the need for discipline and good moral coaching outside the home. Being a good parent does not negate the effects of bad educational/institutional surroundings. And I would wager that modern society has increased the demands on parents who wish to raise Christian (or muslim, or jewish, or even well-minded agnostics or athiests) children.
It seems everyone gets their undies in a bunch over this stuff becuase they always see theese arguments (as they do every such argument) as entirely black or white. Either side A gets 100% thier way, or side B gets 100% their way, no middle ground. And even THAT is not so bad, the real problem is one of PERCEPTION. One side is thoroughly convinced the other wants to christianize every person and school, while the other is thoroughly convinced that one side wants to criminalize or morally bankrupt our kids.
So here we are, demanding that anything remotely christian be expelled from the domain of public eduction; or on the other hand, insisting that God be everywhere.
The problem is, most christians aren't insisting that every child be forced to learn about Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible. What they're asking for is the right of the child (or even the faculty) to practice their religion in school. Why should a child risk expulsion because he dared to say a prayer before his lunch in the school cafeteria (yes, it's happened). The problem is not that we need to "force down the throats of every child" christianity or any other form of theology. The problem is that in an effort to NOT force any particular religion on the children, we've gone the other direction and sterilized the institution of public education of religion with such zeal that we've literally thrown all morality to the wind.
We teach our kids at home to "choose the right", don't have sex, don't drink, Love thy neighbor, God loves YOU, and then we send them to school where the mere mention of God or Christ is a magnificent taboo.
...but the problem goes so far beyond "poisoning" some youth with the consideration of a God. Much of Chuck's original post clearly pointed at issues not at all related to religion in school, but merely common-sense moral issues that we have abdicated over the years in some blind attempt at exhibiting fairness and tollerance of all social experiements and differences.
Is it any wonder that kids are conflicted these days, when they are attacked and shunned by society for embracing the values they're taught so dilligently at home?
Yes, we can all takes Chuck's post in whatever light it hits us, but I would suggest most of us consider it a strong warning -- whether or not you agree with having God in school, the need to be consistent and firm with what we teach our children at home is greater than ever. If we're worried about what our kids are being taught at school, whether christian or jew or athiest or whatnot, then we had better be very concerned about what that child is learning at home, and take every step necessary to prepare them accordingly.
It doesn't forgive society and education for what I think are some serious flaws, but it can still help you to turn out the adult you want your child to become.
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There are 10 kinds of people in the world: Those who understand binary and those who do not. |