Robert wrote:temporal1 wrote: however, what i see happening in schools near me, in liberal states, is education that includes study-romanticizing of mythology, Eastern religions, Native American beliefs+customs, etc., to the exclusion of the Bible, which i do not appreciate. this is not balanced education.
I agree that this happens. I also see an exclusion of the Koran and many of Mohammad's teachings that are very counter to western culture. Thomas Jefferson printed the Koran and sent it to schools to be read so people would know who they were fighting against.
We are very ignorant of Islam and some other religions. Since religion does impact the world so much, I see no reason not to teach ABOUT them in school. I also see no reason to leave out one for another. I also have no desire to have a school teacher proselyte children, but if you open that door, it will happen. With Campus Life JV, we targeted middle school kids in after school programs.
Why leave it to the school or some teacher when we could do it ourselves.
i was young when the Vashti McCollum case was still effecting removal of all-things-Christian from public schools. i.e., i recall voluntary Bible study offered after school in elementary school, until it wasn't. i don't believe i attended. i was "terrified of the Bible." until 40-something.
strangely, Vashti and family were in my home town.
i did not meet her, but my older brother was good friends with 2 of her sons.
they were quite a bit older than i. but the younger son was quite engaging, he was warm and friendly (he did not cast me away, like my older brother+most of his friends.) he was an amazing ice skater, and a rink guard.
my mother instructed me: "do not allow him to speak of religion, do not ask questions!"
ok. and, it never came up.
i was not allowed much time with my older sibs, anyway.
in those years, i did not know what was going on in the Supreme Court, etc. none of that.
years passed. Vashti passed, my parents, and my brother.
i hear, my friend is still alive+active, he square dances!
have not spoken with him since my brother died.
never ever spoke to him about religion.
i read, as her life transpired, Vashti softened on her stance. this happens.
these court cases "change everything" for everyone, when time passes, the principles change, the changed laws do NOT change with them.
i tried to find something on her change to share here, found nothing.
The BIG problem.
from my experience, my observations, i believe the BIG problem is the one you stated above, i added the arrow.
my impression is, people took for granted that Christianity would "just naturally" continue, with or without public schools .. the necessity for PARENTS+CHURCHES to pick up the gaping hole was NOT sufficiently recognized.
Early in public education, the Bible was woven all through daily lessons - old school books document this. this changed before my school days. but, i have seen some early school books, in English and German. they used scriptures for reading+writing lessons, and memory work. memory work was valued! morality lessons. that, also, changed by the time i was in school.
it's understandable, when "everyone you know," everywhere you look, you see Christianity, to take it for granted. in my view, families+churches did not sufficiently recognize what would be lost. of course, some children had no religious education at home or in church. i think a lot of this was ignored/overlooked.
today, "everyone" sees atheism everywhere they look. they take it for granted.
there's a pattern of taking things for granted, of falsely believing, if "everyone you know" thinks a certain way, that's how it's going to be.
i see this, esp in young people, who mostly have not experienced great turns of events!
this is a handicap.
anyone who lives long enough will experience it. the temporal nature of life on earth.
i agree with you: teaching religion is the primary responsibility of parents+churches.
interesting, studies continue to reflect, parents have the greatest influence on their children, bar none.
of course, teachers' unions, and political activists/lobbyists do not care for this fact!
the importance of parents is not discussed, esp not when asking for tax increases, expanded curriculum, etc. (which seems continuously.) it's serious anathema to their interests, which are financially huge.
unfortunately, lots of parents do NOT understand the great impact they have on their children.
they often feel incapable, they are intimidated by schools.
ultimately, they vote for removal of their own parental rights.
most of all, tho, it's the Holy Spirit that determines outcomes.
in all matters, we are to seek the Holy Spirit.