Homeschooling

[sanantone]

I think you are missing the point. The trend is towards parents having fewer rights, not more rights. As the government becomes larger and the various movements towards universal relativism and acceptance is forced upon us, parents will begin to lose these options. I didn't forget or neglect to read what I posted. At this point, I think we are digressing from my primary point. You want to point out that parents still have rights in "most" cases. But, if there is even one district in this nation where parents do not have the rights to make these decisions for their children, that is one district too many.

Kansas had a bill that would have mandated opt-in, but I don't know if it passed. I couldn't find any updates. I also know that, in the past few years, some states passed laws requiring parental consent for abortions. Unrelated, but every state in the U.S. now allows at least concealed carry of weapons. Medicinal marijuana is seeing legalization in more states. Two states have legalized recreational marijuana. More and more states are legalizing same-sex marriage. I see a trend toward less government. Also, take into account the rights of teenagers and young adults. What if a 16 or 17 year old wants to learn about sexual health from a health professional? I don't know how the age of consent plays into parental consent for sex ed; but, if the teenager is of the age of consent in his/her state, then he or she should have the right to choose to attend sex ed.

Are there actually any districts where they're just gonna hold your kid down and force them to watch the material like in whatever movie that was with the thing that holds the guy's eyes open? When I was in sex-ed it wasn't even graded material or anything, so it's not like there would be any tangible impact to missing it if they for some crazy reason absolutely refused to let anyone opt out.

Let's keep in mind that sex-ed comprises like 1 week of a full public school education. This is such an insignificant thing.

I only remember sex ed lasting one day for one class period at my schools.

[Leebo]

I'm sure different schools will do it differently. I recall it being one period per day for several days. But still, nothing to structure a 12 year decision around.

[Westerner]

You know, it comes down to worldview. We have the worldview that God is the Creator and has given us the Bible, which has His perspective on everything. We want to know what God says about things. Homosexuality and sex before marriage--by your own admission, public schools do not consider those things wrong, but God does. We're not "afraid" of the other views, but we do want to teach and be taught God's truth.

I want parents to be able to train their kids up in God's ways. By your admission, public schools do not have that perspective. I don't want kids being taught homosexuality and sex before marriage are okay, as the public school attitude is. I want parents to be able to choose the curriculum that teaches their kids. Schools have to use what is given. I want parents to be able to see what subjects their kids are slow or fast in, and slow down or speed up as they see fit. In school, it's one-size-fits-all. Everyone is going at the average pace, which has to slow down so the student who's most behind is able to keep up; those who want to go ahead cannot (I have personally seen this). I want parents to have control over who their kids are around. In public and private school, they have no control over that, and the negative peer pressure corrupts good kids all the time (I have personally seen this).

I do want to thank you guys for explaining more about the public school system. But from what we have heard, plus what we've seen, public or private school is not the best option for us. Homeschool is.

[Leebo]

Yes, I am very glad we live in a country where the default is secular education. If others want to do something else, they can.

[Westerner]

So, I've presented my honest reasons for why we homeschool, per the request of the OP. I would appreciate not being sworn at or joked about.

discuss what the hell Westerner actually means.

Uh oh, Westerner might want to find a new forum to post on, my homosexualitiness may indoctrinate her since we're in such close proximity.

[Leebo]

You weren't sworn at, at best you were in the presence of swearing, but my apologies if this was troubling to you.

[Westerner]

Thank you.

If others want to do something else, they can.

And I am very glad we have this freedom in America.

[sanantone]

I want parents to be able to train their kids up in God's ways. By your admission, public schools do not have that perspective. I don't want kids being taught homosexuality and sex before marriage are okay, as the public school attitude is.

Where was this mentioned? Some schools teach students how to use contraceptives; this is not the same as saying that premarital sex is okay. Some schools teach about tolerance in order to reduce bullying. I don't see anything wrong trying to prevent attacks against gay people or anyone else. This is not an endorsement of the homosexual "lifestyle," which is not even a lifestyle. The Christian thing to do would be to not judge and not attack gay people unless you subscribe to the Old Testament like some of you do. If that's the case, then you probably think that we should just put all gay people to death along with unruly children and adulterers.

[Leebo]

Where was this mentioned? Some schools teach students how to use contraceptives; this is not the same as saying that premarital sex is okay. Some schools teach about tolerance in order to reduce bullying. I don't see anything wrong trying to prevent attacks against gay people or anyone else. This is not an endorsement of the homosexual "lifestyle," which is not even a lifestyle. The Christian thing to do would be to not judge and not attack gay people unless you subscribe to the Old Testament like some of you do. If that's the case, then you probably think that we should just put all gay people to death along with unruly children and adulterers.

It seems like to some, acknowledging homosexuality and sex in general exist without condemning them is equivalent to endorsing them for everyone as recommended courses of action.

Explaining what contraception is, how it's used, and even providing it is not the same as recommending sexual activity.

My school had fire extinguishers in the hallways, but we weren't encouraged to set the school on fire.

[Jack1798]

In response to Leebo, Westerner, and Sanantone, I would just like to ask why you think that a parent teaching their child(ren) their beliefs is wrong or somehow "indoctrinating"? Also, all three of you made unsubstantiated claims about evolution and creationism with Leebo and Sanantone basically saying that evolution is true because it's the status quo and Westerner saying that evolution is simply a lie. If you are going to make a claim you ought to back it up with a hard and empirical evidence that flows logically in an argument.