Should Christians send their kids to public schools?

[Colton B]

Oh well then yea that is no longer sadly.

 

[Nick]

I couldn't disagree more.

Well at least we know where we all stand.

You think children as young as 10-12 years old, are mentally mature enough when told by an adult in their school that homosexuality and premarital sex are acceptable to debate that topic? This is the age children are being exposed to these ideas.

From my experiences, they are not told either way, in fact from my experiences, we have been encouraged to think very carefully about premarital sex, and make the decisions up for ourselves. The school and teachers have presented fors and against for each option. From what I know, homosexuality isn't brought up much in schools.
I don't think 12 is too young at all, and let's face it - no matter how much you want to protect your children from this 'evi world', they're going to get exposed to it sooner or later.

You state: "Let the kids be faced with all sorts of different views and opinions and theories and then let them make the decision for themselves." So according to that logic, I should be teaching my nephew that Jesus is the only way to salvation but Mohammad, Buddha, Wicca, and atheism are all equally valid paths and they should just make the decision for themselves and pick the one that makes them feel right. That is how secular school presents the topic of faith!

The school's job is to teach the child learning and knowledge. A parent's job is to teach the child values. The school should present ideas or whatever, but it is the paren'ts job to teach their children what values they want. So if I had kids, I would teach them about Christianity. But I would say that it is your choice. Of course I hope they will have a relationship with Jesus Christ, but I can't force that upon them.

Would you join a church that undermines scripture and actively teaches evolution, performs homosexual marriage ceremonies, and condones pre-marital sex and unmarried couples living together?

Of course not.

I think most Christians wouldn't join a church like that in a million years with that ideology and yet they see no problem sending their children to a school that does teach that ideology. Don’t you see the mixed message that kids get?

A church teaches and promotes Christianity. A school teaches knowledge. They are two different things, and they do two different jobs.
If a child is attending a church, there's a good chance they might have already made the choice to become a Christian. That means that they have already made their mind up on some other things that the secular schools teach.
Well they might be getting mixed messages, but that's better than getting one view.

 

[beebee047]

As a future teacher myself, I can see the merits and problems of sending Christian children to public schools. However, there are a lot of factors in play here. The school district, for one thing, can be an issue. What is the area you live in like? Is there a lot of crime or unpleasant activities going on? If the answer is yes, then it would be a wise idea to try and send a child to a private, Christian school. However, if you live in a more friendly area, especially one with a high population of Christians, it may not be such a bad idea to send your child to a public school.

Teachers are another thing to consider. As I've made my way through graduate school, I've noticed that there are some people going through this program that just SHOULDN'T be teachers. They aren't living their lives in a way that parents would find acceptable. One person I know bragged about regularly giving presentations while under the influence of alcohol! If I was a parent and found out about how this future teacher acted outside of school, I wouldn't want them teaching my children! Teachers need to remember that they are expected to live morally acceptable lives, because they are setting an example for the children they teach. They can't be one person in the classroom and another outside of it. They have to live their lives knowing they are setting an example. If the teacher is a highly moral person, it will be reflected in their teaching, and affect their teaching. If you hear things from other families in the neighborhood about a certain teacher and their actions outside of school, it may be best to try and homeschool your children or find a Christian school to send them to.

I honestly hope that as a teacher, I can find a job in a Christian school so I can live for the glory of God and help children do the same, as well as give them the best education I can.

 

[Nick]

As a future teacher myself, I can see the merits and problems of sending Christian children to public schools. However, there are a lot of factors in play here. The school district, for one thing, can be an issue. What is the area you live in like? Is there a lot of crime or unpleasant activities going on? If the answer is yes, then it would be a wise idea to try and send a child to a private, Christian school. However, if you live in a more friendly area, especially one with a high population of Christians, it may not be such a bad idea to send your child to a public school.

I tend to agree. If you've noticed, what I have been saying is that 'from my experiences'. My experiences may differ from others' experiences, and so my conclusion can be different from theirs.
I live in a more friendly area, and it is called the bible belt of Sydney. Take that into account when I say some of the things I do. Others, however may live in a less wealthy area and therefore a private school may be better, but in general I'm a promoter of the public school system.

 

[jasoncran]

As a future teacher myself, I can see the merits and problems of sending Christian children to public schools. However, there are a lot of factors in play here. The school district, for one thing, can be an issue. What is the area you live in like? Is there a lot of crime or unpleasant activities going on? If the answer is yes, then it would be a wise idea to try and send a child to a private, Christian school. However, if you live in a more friendly area, especially one with a high population of Christians, it may not be such a bad idea to send your child to a public school.

I tend to agree. If you've noticed, what I have been saying is that 'from my experiences'. My experiences may differ from others' experiences, and so my conclusion can be different from theirs.
I live in a more friendly area, and it is called the bible belt of Sydney. Take that into account when I say some of the things I do. Others, however may live in a less wealthy area and therefore a private school may be better, but in general I'm a promoter of the public school system.

i take that in account as we have discussed this type of issue before, in america there bad schools and good schools again a parent must decide here.

jason

 

[beebee047]

As a future teacher myself, I can see the merits and problems of sending Christian children to public schools. However, there are a lot of factors in play here. The school district, for one thing, can be an issue. What is the area you live in like? Is there a lot of crime or unpleasant activities going on? If the answer is yes, then it would be a wise idea to try and send a child to a private, Christian school. However, if you live in a more friendly area, especially one with a high population of Christians, it may not be such a bad idea to send your child to a public school.

I tend to agree. If you've noticed, what I have been saying is that 'from my experiences'. My experiences may differ from others' experiences, and so my conclusion can be different from theirs.
I live in a more friendly area, and it is called the bible belt of Sydney. Take that into account when I say some of the things I do. Others, however may live in a less wealthy area and therefore a private school may be better, but in general I'm a promoter of the public school system.

*nodnod* One of the things about living in a less wealthy area, though, is that there may not be a suitable private school. I was sent to a Catholic school 30 minutes away from my house when I was little, because we lived in a poorer area and there wasn't any sort of private or Christian school near us. I'm very glad I spent that time in a private school- when I started in public school, I was miserable. I was picked on for my beliefs, and for being nice to everyone I met no matter their reputation. I remember wishing I could have been homeschooled like my neighbors were.

So, as we've both stated, it depends on the area.

 

[Aero_Hudson]

[quote="Aero_Hudson":1q5cp2f9]Here we go again with the liberal is the same as unchristian crap being thrown around. That really gets my goat. Big time!

My kids attend public schools and have had a great experience. The values that their mother and I have bestowed upon them have remained intact even though the "evil, liberal, unchristian school" has gotten their hands onto them.

A good school does not teach "values". That's my job. A good school stays away from religion and morals and ethics and teaches them subjects like Math, Chemistry, History, etc.

Just my two cents.

So you think, as a Christian, telling Children, as young as 12, to just use a condom to have sex is acceptable? How about those homosexual feelings are "OK" because some people are just "born that way". How about joining wonderful school clubs that cater to gay and lesbians, Wicca, or atheists? How about teaching evolution and we evolved from monkeys? I can go on and on. All of this is the liberal, post modern garbage that a secular school teaches.

Where do you think rebellion comes from when kids are told all day long by teachers, who are people in positions of authority, that all the things I mention above are OK when as a Christian you know they are wrong?

That is what our secular post modern schools are teaching. And as much as you might want to protest, it's the liberal position that's destroying the morality of this country and rotting our churchs with false and perverted doctrine.

Secular humanist liberal values of public schools and Christianity are incompatible.[/quote:1q5cp2f9]

The challenges you have posted I have not experienced with my children even in the slightest. Allow me to list these out.

- Noone is telling my kids to be promiscuse (sp?). As a matter of fact, I have the option as a parent to allow my kids or not to attend the sex ed class they offer once a year to my kids. The class itself is about biology and has nothing to do with preparing them for sex or any of these topics.

- Noone has told my kids that being gay is ok nor has the topic come up.

- None of these clubs in my kids schools nor are they in the school district my children attend.

- I would expect my children to learn the theory of evolution. I will teach them about what others believe with the creationist story in Genesis as well as the theory of Intelligent Design. The schools job is teach them things based on Science and my job to teach them everything else.

Regardless of what you may believe, public schools are not telling kids what is wrong. They are educating children based on science. Nothing wrong with that as long as parents do there part and teach them about other belief systems that the schools do not touch. I think you are letting your paranoia and a few isloated examples inthe USA where some of these things might have happened skew your opinion and judgement on this issue.

My wife, my children and I have all had a great experience with the public school system. You cannot write off all public schools based on fears, speculation and the few bad examples that are out there. Let's be reasonable here.

 

[Aero_Hudson]

You know, when I was in kindergarten, and first and second grade we said prayer in school, and the teachers would lead the grace before we ate our food. Kids today know nothing about that at all.

This is not the schools job. Parents should be responsible for teaching their children about faith, God and these practices.

 

[Ed the Ned]

As parents it is our duty to raise our children in a Christian enviroment. The problem I have with the senior school m y daughter will have to go to is that their are teachers that support alternative lifestyles and they give the children advice. Ever heard the phrase "my parents don't understand me", well where do they go to next? I don't think the problem is in the schooling system I just think society has become immoral and it is everywhere. I think it is important to surround our children with prayer daily that the Lord will protect them against physical and mental harm. Then we need the faith to leave it in Gods hands.

 

[Armor of God]

The challenges you have posted I have not experienced with my children even in the slightest. Allow me to list these out.

- Noone is telling my kids to be promiscuse (sp?). As a matter of fact, I have the option as a parent to allow my kids or not to attend the sex ed class they offer once a year to my kids. The class itself is about biology and has nothing to do with preparing them for sex or any of these topics.

And when kids do opt out, they are the subject of harassment and bullying.

- Noone has told my kids that being gay is ok nor has the topic come up.

That is just your experience. I know more than one parent whose child has been told being gay is "normal" and they are "born that way".

- None of these clubs in my kids schools nor are they in the school district my children attend.

One again, that is just you and those kinds of clubs are more common place than you realize.

- I would expect my children to learn the theory of evolution. I will teach them about what others believe with the creationist story in Genesis as well as the theory of Intelligent Design. The schools job is teach them things based on Science and my job to teach them everything else.

This proves my point again. You are admitting the school's theory is wrong and they contradict Christian teachings causing you to reeducated them.

Regardless of what you may believe, public schools are not telling kids what is wrong. They are educating children based on science. Nothing wrong with that as long as parents do there part and teach them about other belief systems that the schools do not touch. I think you are letting your paranoia and a few isloated examples inthe USA where some of these things might have happened skew your opinion and judgement on this issue.

You are a typical liberal. You resort to name calling and can't stick to the argument at hand. I am hardly "paranoid" for raising objections to the Ungodly situations in our public school system.

My wife, my children and I have all had a great experience with the public school system. You cannot write off all public schools based on fears, speculation and the few bad examples that are out there. Let's be reasonable here.

I'm being very reasonable. You are the one choosing to ignore the direction our secular schools are headed.

 

[Aero_Hudson]

And when kids do opt out, they are the subject of harassment and bullying.

I did not opt my kids out nor did 99% of the parents. Why? Because I educated myself on what would be covered to ensure that it was appropriate for my children. The material was all biology and did not go into "sex" nor condoning or not condoning specific behaviorial examples. The content was appropriate for children in his age group IMHO.

That is just your experience. I know more than one parent whose child has been told being gay is "normal" and they are "born that way".

We cannot let a couple of examples skew us on the entire public school system. When you have a bad experience with a librarian, do you then tell yourself that all librarians must be bad? I would imagine the answer is no on this one. We also have to be careful for teachers to tell our kids that gay people are bad. Someone's sexual preference and why they are that way should never be fielded by a teacher. I will talk to my children on that topic when the time is right.

One again, that is just you and those kinds of clubs are more common place than you realize.

I can only speak for my community and would imagine you can only speak for yours. There are literally zero school sponsored clubs of this kind going on in my school district.

This proves my point again. You are admitting the school's theory is wrong and they contradict Christian teachings causing you to reeducated them.

I never stated that the "school's" theory was wrong. Evolution is not the "school's" theory. It is the scientific community's theory and should be taught. When my kids go to a science class I expect them to be taught about science not biblical events. It is my job to make the decision if I want to teach them about biblical events not the school's.

You are a typical liberal. You resort to name calling and can't stick to the argument at hand. I am hardly "paranoid" for raising objections to the Ungodly situations in our public school system.

If you look a bit closer at my post you will see I did not call you a name. I stated that you may be a bit paranoid. If that offended you I am truly sorry as I meant no offense. I never called you a name. You however, did call me a name. As far as inserting "God" into schools, I would prefer that not be done and instead teachers teach the approved curriculum. I will handle the conversations regarding God with my children.

I'm being very reasonable. You are the one choosing to ignore the direction our secular schools are headed.

I choose not to label all public schools as bad due to speculation or a few isolated examples. In my own community all but one of the fears you have are not present. The one that is present is an expectation of mine that my kids are taught the theory of evolution. As they get older they can discern for themselves what they can believe or cannot believe. In our society, critical thinking is extremely important and I will not take that away from them. I expect my kids to use their God given ability of critical thinking on all issues that they are confronted with. I believe that God wants it that way.

 

[Armor of God]

This is becoming a waste of time and I will make one last point.

There are 2 arguments here. One says the curriculum taught at secular schools can undermine Christian values in children. The other denies any problems in secular schools and labels people who think so as "paranoid".

Given the choice with all other variables equal, would you rather have your child in a school with a curriculum designed and taught by people who pattern their program after God's word or not?

 

[Aero_Hudson]

This is becoming a waste of time and I will make one last point.

There are 2 arguments here. One says the curriculum taught at secular schools can undermine Christian values in children. The other denies any problems in secular schools and labels people who think so as "paranoid".

Given the choice with all other variables equal, would you rather have your child in a school with a curriculum designed and taught by people who pattern their program after God's word or not?

I apologized for saying you were paranoid. As a result, noone is saying that people who support your opinion are paranoid.

As far as your overarching question, no school program that is publicly taught should pattern its curriculum based on what they interpret to be "God's" word. That would be a violation of separation of church and state and should not be condoned. If that is what people want, send you child to a private school. I want by childrens' education separated along those lines. One line, by our public schools, should be based on fact based material that is objective and measurable. Faith based issues and beliefs or "facts" should be handled by the church and their parents. The government nor the school system to try and teach my children about faith. That is my job!

 

[animal]

Apparently many of you aren't familiar with what goes on in Christian and Catholic schools (every single one I'm familiar with). Please speak with a teenager who attends one or a college student who did attend one. If they don't tell you everyone was doing coke they were one of the ones doing coke.

 

[Nick]

Apparently many of you aren't familiar with what goes on in Christian and Catholic schools (every single one I'm familiar with). Please speak with a teenager who attends one or a college student who did attend one. If they don't tell you everyone was doing coke they were one of the ones doing coke.

That is not true, and possibly only applies to a few schools. I for one, haven't heard of a Christian school where that happens. I have heard of Christian and Catholic schools having probelm with pedophilia, but not coke. Just remember that public schools have this as well.

 

[animal]

Apparently many of you aren't familiar with what goes on in Christian and Catholic schools (every single one I'm familiar with). Please speak with a teenager who attends one or a college student who did attend one. If they don't tell you everyone was doing coke they were one of the ones doing coke.

That is not true, and possibly only applies to a few schools. I for one, haven't heard of a Christian school where that happens. I have heard of Christian and Catholic schools having probelm with pedophilia, but not coke. Just remember that public schools have this as well.

My private, not Christian (not officially at least..) high school didn't have a drug problem by any means. All Christian schools in the area were known for having serious drug issues. Also, every person I have met while in college who went to or is familiar with the Christian schools in their hometowns had drug problems. I''m not saying kids who attend public schools don't do drugs or aren't faced with the problem. I'm just saying I've never heard of any public school being as bad as the Christian schools in my area and my mother used to work for the school board and I have relatives who are currently public school teachers.

And I really wish I had the stats on catholic schools and how many of their alumni have had, at the time, the God concept beaten out of them.

 

[Lewis]

And what about the kids, that go to your church, Reverend Animal ?

 

[NooneSpecial]

Question the material studied in public schools.

 

[jasoncran]

Question the material studied in public schools.

i agree that's why i said a parent should be vigilant and dont think children are safe in a christian school either as evolution is taught as fact in some

jason

 

[animal]

Evolution wasn't taught in my school and look what happened to me.

evolution is fact. evolutionary theory is our best attempt to explain and unite these facts.