ON THE 'SIN' OF SENDING KIDS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL

ON THE 'SIN' OF SENDING KIDS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL

Published: 02/07/2005

The man who helped push the issue of public education onto the national agenda of the Southern Baptist Convention has written a new book that blows the lid off government schools, showing parents the kind of worldview and values their children are influenced by 180 days a year.

Bruce Shortt, author of "The Harsh Truth About Public Schools,” presents myriad reasons why government institutions are failing America’s children and thumbing their noses at parents with a religious worldview.

As WorldNetDaily reported, last year Shortt helped spearhead an unsuccessful effort to have the Southern Baptist Convention pass a resolution urging its members to remove their children from public school.

In "The Harsh Truth About Public Schools,” Shortt, writing from a biblical perspective, presents rigorous research about the agenda and effect of government schooling on the nation’s young people.

Shortt especially wants to educate Christian parents, millions of whom send their kids off to public school every day.

"Contrary to what many Christians have been led to believe, there is no such thing as a ‘neutral’ education,” Shortt writes. "All education is religious and conveys a worldview, and there is no more important decision that we make as parents than how we educate our children.”

Continues Shortt: "Unfortunately, Christian parents allow an aggressively anti-Christian institution to form the minds of their children, and the fruit of that choice is bitter. The overwhelming majority of children from evangelical families leave the church within two years after they graduate from high school; only 9 percent of evangelical teens believe that there is any such thing as absolute moral truth; and, our children are being forcibly indoctrinated to believe that homosexual behavior is acceptable.”

While Shortt wants Christian parents who use the government schools to read the book, he also encourages homeschooling parents to read it.

"Homeschool parents must have this book to minister to their Christian friends and neighbors, pastors and skeptical relatives. Our government-school habit is sowing the wind, and unless Christians turn from this gross sin we will reap a whirlwind that is unimaginable,” Shortt says.

In the book, Shortt documents the pitfalls of public schools, saying the anti-Christian thrust of the governmental school system produces inevitable results: "moral relativism (no fixed standards), academic dumbing down, far-left programs, near absence of discipline and the persistent but pitiable rationalizations offered by government education professionals.”

Shortt also urges pastors to read the book so they might "understand why the church can no longer abdicate its historic role in the education of our children.”

Says Short: "‘The Harsh Truth About Public Schools’ makes it clear why no Christian child should be left behind in government schools. Our Christian children are perishing because parents and pastors lack knowledge. The information in this book exposes the ‘salt and light’ and the ‘our schools are different’ rationalizations for educating Christian children in pagan schools for the contemptible falsehoods they are.

"Any parent or pastor who genuinely desires to be faithful in the education of Christian children needs to find out what the public schools are actually doing, rather than relying on what they are saying they are doing or on memories of the public schools as they may have existed 10, 20 or 30 years ago.”

Shortt makes his argument by citing a school district in Texas.

"There is no public school district in the country that has more Christians in the community or in the schools than that of Plano, Texas,” he said. "In fact, the largest and most powerful church in the state of Texas, Prestonwood Baptist, is located in Plano. Yet, it took a court order to force the Plano schools to allow Christian school children to privately give classmates Christmas gifts that had a Christian message. Moreover, the school district had even prohibited schoolchildren from bringing red and green napkins to the school ‘holiday’ parties for fear the colors might remind someone of Christmas.

"The truth is that the public school policy and curriculum decisions that matter to Christians are not made locally. They are largely dictated by federal and state court decisions, federal and state legislation and regulations, and the teachers’ union and other professional associations connected with the public schools.”

But what about reforming the public schools? Isn’t that a solution?

Responds Shortt: "Public schools cannot be reformed to provide a Christian education, and the evidence is overwhelming that even conventional secular reforms to reinstate traditional academic and moral standards will continue to fail. But even if you think that we should nevertheless try to reinstate traditional academic and moral standards in the schools, taking your children out is the most effective thing you can do to help the children whose parents have left them behind in the public schools. Only the threat of a collapse of the entire public school system offers even the remotest prospect of positive change. Traditional reform efforts are a waste of time.

"Even if you believe that there is nothing wrong with institutionalizing Christian children in public schools, you need to read this book because you may be wrong. Remember, you only get one chance to educate your children. There are no do-overs.”

When I read articles like this I am reminded of the hypocrisy of many of those involved in homeschooling. In the circle of people I know who homeschool at least 75% make their living off the public school system as teachers or support businesses like tutoring. The remainder are frustrated teachers who found the public education system too constricting to work in or too basic for their "genius" children.

Jeremy your view is absoultely flawed. If a Christian working in Public school decides to home school his kids, is this hypocricy? How? If a Christian does not take the role of public school teacher and be the light among kids in public school then who else will be light to those children? I find nothing wrong in being a teacher in public school though you do not want your kids to be part of the system.

I personally believe that home schooling is the best option but not all can afford to do it. If you do not have grace to do it then no problem put your kids in public school in full faith. If we Christians do not have faith that our God can keep our Children true and safe then who else will have?

My stand is like how Apostle Paul believes that it is better for some one to be unmarried but not all can take that word hence it is better to get married than to burn with lust.
In families where both husband and wife needs to work, there is nothing wrong in sending their children to public school in faith.

The hypocrisy I see is that many homeschooling parents exalt the homeschooling method as preserving their children from the indoctrination in worldly wisdom. However, if a parent is a teacher in the system that actively indoctrinates what they don't want for their own children, then how are they loving their neighbor as themselves. They harvest the wealth from the 'bloated' and wasteful system while following guidelines and curriculum that will make their students, as common view among homeschoolers seems to be, less able to see and hear the Gospel. I know plenty of 'Christian' homeschoolers who don't know the Gospel despite being fed it their entire lives in varying forms.

I think it would be a valid discussion to examine the historical philosophical foundations of the modern homeschool movement as well as current trends and compare them to Scripture in a sober manner so that parents who are embarking on this in faith can be warned of the pitfalls and weaknesses thereof. Homeschooling today represents an entire worldview that can transform not only the children but their parents as well. I am not equipped to facilitate this type of discussion however, there are many threads full of discussion and advice regarding homeschooling here on SI already.

This question was sent to numerous God fearing men. All pastors of the flock of God. The answers I received were similar to the one given here by a pastor of over 40 years.

I was wondering if you might furnish me with a
Biblical defense of either the
neutrality,indifference,command,permission/allowance
or otherwise respecting God's will for the christian
to send their children to be educated by
state/government-run institutions where the teachers
and fellow students are for the most part
unbelievers,God-haters,anti-Christ and immoral, where
hypocrisy abounds and the religion of secular humanism promoted.

Please reply ASAP if able.

PS APOLOGIA - The Greek word meaning "a spoken or
written defense."

It appears eight times in the New Testament, in the
context of people defending their faith or actions by
reason and logic.

From Webster's Dictionary: apologia
\\ap-uh-LOH-jee-uh;-juh\\, noun:
A formal defense or justification, especially of one's opinions, position, or actions.

From Websters Dictionary (1828 edition)

Apologetic - Defending by words or arguments; excusing; said or written in defense, or by way of apology; as an apologetic essay.

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you..." 1 Peter 3:15

His answer;

Sorry it took me a couple of days to answer you. As far as I can tell I could not do what you asked, God did say of Abraham that he knew he would teach his children Gen 18:19. Ultimately we are responsible for our children in every aspect of their lives as long as they are under our care.

So the question remains. If any on SI can stick to the question and answer from the Bible please do so.

Philosophies and agendas are not being questioned, as they tend to lead to endless arguments.

So study the question before answering please.

Spiritual education is shared by the church and perhaps from the child's family.

Professional/technical skills and competency certifications
is generally acquired from public educational system.

For instance, how can one become a certified health professional or accountant without going to public school system. And while our children are schooling what we can do is to pray hard for them, keep our line of communication open, and set godly example.

To many, it won't be as easy as we wish.

Only the parents are responsible for any child's spirituality. Neither the Church we attend or school we send. The Church and school can assist the parents by imparting Godly values but they are not responsible.

Malachi 2:15:- And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring?

Who is God seeking Godly offspring from? Not from Church or schools but parents. Hence parents have to impart good value into their chirldren.

In my Church here in Dallas, a family felt uncomfortable to join us because we did not have enough teenagers to start a youth meeting and encourage them. But this is what I felt, it is not Church that needs to train your teen kid with youth meeting, it is the parents responsibility first. As a Church we can organize a meeting to encourage your child but that should not be a criteria to look for in a Church at all.

Romans 14:23:- everything that is not from faith is sin.

In respect to putting the kids in public school, yes we as parents have to take the decision. But if we take the decision in faith that God will protect our kids and keep them as light in a dark world then God will definitely honor us. There are for several reason that we might need to put our children in Public schools. Lack of finance to put them in private schools and both mother and father have to work to run the family. In such cases God will honor our stand taken by faith.

In bringing up children, I believe in just one thing, if I do my part then God will definitely do his part. My part is to disciple my children and teach them God's ways as per God's word. Then put the rest in God's hand in faith.

Why it’s sinful to send Christian children to public schools -

The topic of education is one of the most divisive topics in American churches today, but it is one of the most important topics needing to be addressed because how we educate our children affects the future of Christianity.

In this two-part sermon, Pastor Ralph Ovadal addresses the topic of education without compromise, calling on Christian parents to remove their children from the openly atheist government schools in America.

In part one of this message, Pastor Ovadal asks tough questions like: "Where does Satan want Christian kids to go: government schools? Or homeschools.” In part two, he turns to Scripture after Scripture to make his case that once a parent understands the danger and unbiblical nature of government schools, it is a sin to send their children there: "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” ”“ James 4:17

This thought-provoking, biblical message is desperately needed to be heard today. As author and pastor Gregg Harris said of homeschooling in the 1990’s: "This move of God is the revival you all have been praying about…” He was right, but most Christians did not ”” and do not ”” recognize the modern homeschooling movement for what it is: a move of God "to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers.”

Click below to listen to this message -

http://gospelapplied.com/audio/None_dare_call_it_sin_R_Ovadall.mp3

Part 2 -

http://gospelapplied.com/audio/None_dare_call_it_sin_Part_2.mp3

I do not want to Sound as a self appointed Moderator here but the topic discussed here is clearly not Biblical. It leads to condemnation. Also posting such external links and sermons are against the policy of SI. Hence I request the poster to no post such accusing posts. There will be families who genuinely cannot afford homeschooling. For them public school is the only means. Even to be called Pastor is not Biblical, is the author willing to repent from that?

I request moderator to take note of such teachings and remove them. False condemnation is equally sinful.

I am a veteran public High School teacher who sent his kids to a private Christian school. I am well aware of the problems of the public school system. I also believe that proper home schooling is far superior to most any other form of education that is available to parents today. I recently had a frank conversation with a college professor from our local university. He told me that he would rather have a class full of college students that had been home schooled to any other type of students. Public school graduates ,on the whole, are his worst students.

I have seen some Christian teens who not only survived public school spiritually, but were bright and shining lights and won friends to Christ. I have seen more Christian teens (usually that term was nominal or marginal) who did not survive spiritually and turned the way of the world.

It is not a sin to send your children to a public school. It is sin to disobey God as He directs you in how you should train your children. I have known of parents who home-schooled their children right up to the point of high school and they and their children decided that God wanted them to go through high school as a mission field. I have seen this be very successful, and I have seen it be a miserable failure.

I have three grandchildren now and I think a lot about their future. I have strongly encouraged my son and daughter in law to home school. In fact, she has already started with fun lessons at age 4-1/2 and my grandson is learning to read and loves it.

When making this decision, there are priorities. Spiritual growth is a far greater priority than intellectual growth. It has to be that way. It is far better for school, home, and church to agree, especially in the early years. I generally advise against public school for Christian parents. But, I think parents are going to have to pray about their choices. \\

As a bit of an aside, our church is looking seriously at starting a Christian school in the future, and if that happens I will no longer teach in the public school system. I have had some really great opportunities to be a source of strength to Christian students here and have been able to minister to many who were not. You would be surprised at the opportunities a Christian teacher can have if he prays that God will use him in the public school.

One more point I want to make. It is absolutely true that John Dewey is called the father of modern public education. Horace Mann was also heavily involved. Both these men had an anti-God agenda, Dewey having co-authored the humanist manifesto.

But public schools in America still retain a great degree of local control. The atmosphere in the school is usually determined by the school leadership. We have 90 staff in our high school. This year 25 of them met on the first day of school to pray for the school and the students. That is a pretty high percentage, and the current administration seems to hire many good Christian teachers. We are probably one of the better public schools. I did not want my children to have to struggle, but to be trained in the things of God all day long. I can only imagine what things are like in other schools.

As one who has chosen to keep my children as far away from the public schools as possible and has never regretted it one bit - I share this as a warning regarding calling something such as choosing to send your child to public school "sin" (while I do not believe it is wise or good):

Be Careful Before You Call Someone Antinomian - Tim Conway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkXo0oTKo8M

In Germany homeschooling is forbidden and violators get prosecuted. There are a few Christian schools,but not everywhere. The same applies to many other countries in the world.

I send my kids to public school.
Do I have to burn in hell now?

Shall we start a similar thread condemning gun owners, TV watchers, non-KJV readers, those who don't pray for an hour every day, non-tithers....you name it.

In Germany homeschooling is forbidden and violators get prosecuted. There are a few Christian schools,but not everywhere. The same applies to many other countries in the world.

I send my kids to public school.
Do I have to burn in hell now?

Shall we start a similar thread condemning gun owners, TV watchers, non-KJV readers, those who don't pray for an hour every day, non-tithers....you name it.

Perhaps in the natural order of things, the parents take lead of the spiritual education of their children. There are however, many parents today that really need the help of the church in this regard by the reason of spiritual immaturity, competency, dysfunctional family dynamics or spiritual state.

Not all christian parents is well-off enough nor have luxury of time, nor educated enough to home school their children. How many is really capable of home schooling their children. I have heard it many times, blaming parents for this matter, but will not the church lift even a finger to help handicapped christian parents or invest effort, time, and money to ease this great responsibility.

For example, they can include other children as they homeschool their child or share in hiring a capable believer to teach them.

In many countries, professional/technical certification is needed if you want to follow a certain career. I doubt if home schooling can address that. At a certain point after primary or secondary education, majority have to send their children to public higher educational system and it will be a real big spiritual battle for our children.

I do not understand how Moderators permit such articles in this site. This post has been here for quite sometime without any action from moderators which means they are in agreement with it. Really surprised by lack of discernment.

I homeschooled my 7 children all the way through. I have much to say on the matter. However, I am not willing to come under the attack that so often happens on this forum. This is disgraceful. Also, calling something sin is not necessarily condemnation.

My wife and I homeschool our two kids, ages 5 and 7. It is definitely a sacrifice and a burden as both of us work, though I am self-employed and make my own hours. It is not easy, but it has been rewarding.

I would definitely not call it a sin to not homeschool. It is a personal conviction. Once we begin delegating what is sin and what is not sin based upon how someone chooses to raise their children, we tread on pharisaical ground. Truth be told, it is none of my business how someone in this forum elects to educate their kids. That is between them and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives certain light to individuals. This "light transfer" and its receiving and obeying is nobody's business to judge, regulate or legislate except by the receiver and the Lord. His light is accompanied by corresponding convictions, and those who receive from Him are inclined to obey, for in their spirit they know it is best.

Some that I know home school their children because they don't want their children to be 'contaminated' and they even hesitate to mingle their kids with other christian children exactly because of this.

Although no one in our group really make this a big issue, as we understand their point, and are highly educated,but can we really convert or assure the sanctification or final salvation of our children this way, by strictly isolating them from the general society.

Someone even commented, are they not already contaminated in the first place being a child of Adam.

Good morning beloved,

I am in South Africa so cannot comment on the American schooling system.
I'm sure we have problems everywhere because of the humanistic, atheistic influences out there.
However, I have always maintained that we , as parents, are and should be the greatest influencers of our children and by communicating with them regularly and showing interest in their lives and experiences, and listening, we are able to understand the challenges and provide the necessary clarification and guidance.
In a public school they come across many things that clash with what they are taught at home and learn how to respond and how to make a stand for what their convictions are.
From an early age, with our help, they can understand the war between light and darkness in this world, and can learn to "be light" through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to His commands and teaching.

God bless,