If you agree with me, you could influence a lot of people on the subject that, I think, is pivotal in our culture. As you will see, English isn’t my first language, so forgive me for awkwardness you may find in the article.
Is it safe to send children to public school?
Recently I’ve read the a article in «Answers» magazine which argued that the program in public schools became too secular and promiscuous for Christian kids to take part in, and that they must leave it as soon as possible.
I agree with the article on some levels. We, as parents, are responsible for education of our children, and we must do whatever possible to limit dangerous influence on them. One obvious danger is that they will be influenced by peers and secular teaching, and graduate as atheists. If promiscuity and godliness are the only variables in the equation than yes, they must stay «indoors», they shouldn’t watch TV as well, and shouldn’t speak with neighbor kids.
One may argue, «we can control TV, and which neighbor my child can talk to, but can not control the school». Well… if a parent has nothing to do with public school, than yes, he or she can definitely do nothing about the school program, and as a result about the spiritual state of people with whom their child will interact when he/she is grown up. But if christian parent’s children are in public school then a parent does have a voice. Unfortunately, since majority of christian parents have no part in public education, it makes the rest of christian children in public schools a voiceless minority. They have no significant representation, and no support from virtually nonexistent christian peers.
Being a parent who teaches my kids christian values, who reads them Bible, and who explains science as a God’s creation, they are unlikely to be influenced by alternative worldviews in school while being exposed to it. They develop strong connections and friendships that may lead other children to God at some point in the future or even during school years. They also create positive image of Christianity, making it less likely for other children to become militant atheists. Any spiritual and scientific questions raised in school will be researched and addressed by me, which leads to the development of critical thinking. I was so proud of my daughter when she voiced her «creation» opinion during evolution class every time she saw the opportunity to do so, despite the whole class being silent. I was a bit worried that she may annoy the teacher but she got an «A» on the subject of evolution anyway.
If any controversial issue is discussed in school, like sex education, yoga, homosexuality, evolution, etc., parent of Christian kids will be aware and will be able to voice their opinion. Christian opinion in the secular world is a valuable device to proclaim God’s Kingdom, which is exactly what we are called to do. If you don’t have your child in public school, what option to influence future generation do you have? Snatch a bunch of them in the van and drive then to church after school? Annoy them on the streets with your good message that doesn’t resonate with their life?
I’m very proud of my son’s recent decisions. He got baptized last summer, and got engaged to a girl he met at school. She got baptized as well, and is challenging her parents’s secular views right now. God bless them.
Christian children in public schools are not shutting themselves away from the world and it’s issues, they are not religious, closed minded or superstitious, as the world sees the rest of us, but rightly perceived instead as knowledgeable, reasonable, and reachable. Also, if christian children are attending public school, they will be supportive of each other, and will influence non christian classmates. Whom non-christian friends have when faced with life’s challenges? We all know how complicated life becomes during late teenage years. Those years are known for high rate of suicidal tendencies. Non-christian parents aren’t aware of the solution, and christians who could help are years in the future, if they aren’t in the same classroom already.
But today, future Christianity is hiding behind walls of christian schools. Secular world has no resistance in becoming more godless. Christian kids are getting more and more alienated in public schools. Christian parents don’t have access, power, and as a result desire to influence school program that breeds people who latter in life will not know, respect, or listen to «monks» from christian schools.
Бог, мир и я. 