I agree.Josh wrote:Right - it talks a lot about abuse, but the only narrative they have where they talk to both sides has no abuse involved at all. That's a deceptive way to report.
I don't know what the current level is, or whether we need more or less or what we have. I think there are two basic issues. On the abuse side, I don't think religion guarantees that there is no physical or sexual abuse, not even for conservative Mennonites. You and I both know some of the stories that have emerged. So where there are plausible reports of abuse, I think they should be investigated the same way for religious people as for anyone else.Josh wrote:Is it? Do you think we'll be better off with more government oversight of conservative Mennonite families like RZehr's?It's hard to know how to balance these concerns against concern for religious freedom and parent's rights.
On the education side, I really would like to see all children get the equivalent of a high school education, and I think that is the intent of the law in the United States. Providing an equally good education to all children has never been a high enough priority for politicians, and the public school system is the most important place to work on this. But I have had enough contact with home schools to have concerns about the level of education in some homes.
From what I've seen of RZehr's posts here, I would be very surprised if there are problems in his environment. But I don't think the government can legitimately say, "oh, I trust you more than I trust other people because of your religion or because of what I know of your character". I have no knowledge at all of Roger Hertzler, and cannot weigh in on the level of education he gave to his daughter. No knowledge = no opinion.